by John Horne, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Thinkbig Dreambig (Jimmy Takter) gutted out a victory in the $25,400 third division of the Tompkins-Greers Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Tioga Downs on Friday (June 29).

There were three divisions of colts and geldings as well as three divisions for their counterpart pacing fillies.

Fred Brown photo

Thinkbig Dreambig was a narrow winner in Tompkins-Geers action on Friday.

No Easy Day (Matt Kakaley) took the lead and controlled all the early fractions (:27.2, :56.4, 1:24.1). Thinkbig Dreambig ($3.40) went first-over on the backstretch and pressured No Easy Day all around the last half-mile. Trained by Takter for owners Brixton Medical Inc., John Fielding, Goran Anderberg, and Goran Falk, he would take over in mid-stretch and hold off the late charge of Ideal Feeling (Corey Callahan) to win in 1:52.2. No Easy Day and Ideal Feeling ended up in a dead heat for second.

Thinkbig Dreambig is a colt by Bettor’s Delight. Not raced as a 2-year-old, he has won four straight as a sophomore in five career starts.

In the $24,900 first division for colts and geldings, Rockapelo (Jim Morrill Jr.) charged late to get the victory in 1:50.2. Shadow Cat (Corey Callahan) finished second. Wheels On Fire Matt Kakaley was third.

Rockapelo ($10.80) is a gelding by Rock N Roll Heaven. Owned by Enviro Stables and trained by Linda Toscano, it was his second win this season and career win number six.

Winston (Corey Callahan) went gate-to-wire to win the $24,900 second division, putting up all the numbers (:27.1, :55.1, 1:22.1, 1:50.1). Second place finisher Terror Atthe Beach (Fern Paquet Jr.) came out of the pocket to challenge but fell short by a neck. Heartbeat Hill (Jim Marohn Jr.) was third.

Winston ($7.10) is a gelding by Western Ideal. He is owned by Crawford Farms Racing and trained by John Butenschoen. It was his fourth win this season and career victory number six.

Jewels Forreal (Matt Kakaley) came out of the clouds to win the $23,500 first division of the Thompkins-Geers stakes for sophomore pacing fillies. Sixth at the top of the stretch she swooped by to win in 1:51. E Dee’s Well Said (Jim Pantaleano) was second with Betterthanbrie (Jimmy Takter) finishing third.

Owned by trainer Ron Burke and Weaver Bruscemi, the filly by So Surreal won for the second time this season. It was career win number five.

Ask Me If I Care (Mike Micallef) went gate-to-wire to barely hold off Aldine Hanover (Marcus Miller) in the $23,500 second division of the Tompkins-Geers for fillies in a time of 1:52.1. Kimberlee (Jim Morrill Jr.) finished third.

Ask Me If I Care ($9.20) is a filly by Manhardt. Trained by Micallef for owners Libby Myers and Anita Micallef, it was her second win of 2018 and career tally number four.

In the $23,500 last Tompkins-Geers stake for sophomore pacing fillies it was Cuts Like A Knife (Corey Callahan) stealing the victory with a late run in 1:52.4. Reign On Me (Jim Morrill Jr.) was second best. Newsday (Jim Marohn Jr.) finished third.

Cuts Like A Knife ($23.00) is a filly by A Rocknroll Dance. Trained by Bruce Saunders for owners Charles, Julie and Francene Nash, it was her first win this season and fourth career victory.

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (June 30) with a 10-race card starting at 6:15 p.m. Fireworks follow live racing. For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.