by Dustin Ross, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Howard “Pacing” Parker took no prisoners in the $27,000 final of the Nichols True Value Pacing Series on Saturday night (July 7) at Tioga Downs.

Fred Brown Photography

Nighthawk Hall (Howard Parker) was a 1:51.4 winner.

Parker led through fractions of :26.2, :54.4, and 1:22.4 with Nighthawk Hall. At the top of the stretch he asked for more and got a strong response in the form of a :29 last quarter to stop the timer in 1:51.4.

The 3-year-old son of Blissfull Hall is owned by Howard Taylor and is trained by Tom Shay. Nighthawk Hall notched his fifth win in 16 starts thus far in 2007 and increased his seasonal earnings to more than $37,000 with the win.

In the $8,500 opening division of the Tioga Blast Pacing Series it was Real Mystical and Mike Simons who found the winner’s circle.

Race favorite South Park Hanover was first up and finally cleared pacesetter Mystic Gold through a :26.4 third quarter, but tired down the stretch to finish third. Jimmy Marohn, Jr. and Mystic Gold fought back gamely for more, but were outkicked at the wire by Real Mystical. The mile of 1:51.4 was just a tick off the 5-year-old gelding’s lifetime mark of 1:51.3 that was taken at Tioga Downs last year. Real Mystical is owned by John S. Chacko, Jr. and is trained by Jim Ray.

Howard Parker posted a triple on the night while Corey Braden and Mike Simons each ended the night with a driving double.

Tioga Downs continues live harness racing action from Nichols, New York on Sunday afternoon with a post time of 1:15 p.m.