In Sunday afternoon’s $16,000 Open Handicap Pace, Western Trademark and Mike Simons used a tough first over grind to hang on for victory at Tioga Downs.

Leaving from post position number four, Western Trademark settled in third as One More Laugh (Ray Schnittker) cut through an opening quarter of :27.3. Mike Simons pulled first over from third past the three-eighth’s mile mark of the race and raced toe to toe with the leader through fractions of :56.4 and 1:23.2. Around the final turn, One More Laugh had enough, but Western Trademark wasn’t done holding off a late charge from Theseyesrcrying (Jim Meittinis) in 1:52.1.

The win was the second of the year for Western Trademark, who is trained by Joe Cordisco for owner Holly Cordisco of Binghamton, New York.

Theseyesrcrying (Jim Meittinis) finished second, while Eastend Eddie (Keith Kamann) got up for third.

Simons posted a driving triple on the afternoon’s 13-race card while Aaron Byron recorded a double.

(Tioga Downs)