Nichols, NY – Truth And Liberty (Mike Simons) charged late to capture the featured $10,000 Fillies & Mares Open 1 on Friday (May 31) at Tioga Downs.

Well Said Maria (Aaron Byron) carved out all the early fractions (:27.2, :56.2, 1:25).

Truth And Liberty came from well off the pace with Mike Simons aboard to win the feature at Tioga Downs. Fred Brown photo.

Truth And Liberty ($7.30), who is owned by Fairy Horsemother Stables and trained by Simons, was eighth after the first quarter and nine lengths back.  She still found herself in seventh at the half and fifth after three-quarters. As she hit the stretch she looked like she sprouted wings and zoomed by to win in 1:53.3. Velocity McSweets (Mike Merton) was second best with Well Said Maria hanging on for third.

Truth And Liberty is a 7-year-old mare by Total Truth. It was her fourth win of the season.  She now owns 39 career victories.

Mike Simons, Fern Paquet Jr., and Wally Hennessey all had driving doubles on the card.  Simons other win came with Boogie Roll ($14.20). Paquet Jr. got his wins with Windsun Brooklyn ($13.20) and Tipp City ($3.20). Hennessey reached the winner’s circle with Celebrity Lover ($3.90) and Odds On Cheddar ($3.10).

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (June 1) with a 10-race card starting at 6:15 p.m.