Repelling a late challenge from Spice It Up Lindy, Ontario-sired Twin B Spike Man ($3.10) proved a gutsy 1:54.4 winner in Saturday (August 30) evening's $15,000 Open Trot at Tioga Downs, giving Mike Simons one of his four driving wins on the evening.

The seven-year-old Ken Warkentin gelding wasted no time achieving the lead, brushing clear of Spice It Up Lindy (Jim Meittinis) after a soft :29.2 first quarter and immediately accelerating through a :57 middle half. Now with Spice It Up Lindy in a tracking position, Twin B Spike Man entered the far turn with a one and a half length advantage. Despite a late challenge in the final yards, Twin B Spike Man held sway for a one-length victory. Stitch In Time (Jim Taggart Jr.) tracked the top pair the entire mile, checking in a non-threatening third.

Donald Eccleston and Albert Abdala III co-own Twin B Spike Man with Simons. Gail Wrubel handles the training duties.

Simons was victorious on three other occasions through the evening, teaming up with Brookside Lily ($37.60, 1:58.2), Rock Star ($3.10, 1:53.2), and Current Image ($7.90, 1:58.2) to complete his grand slam.

Live racing returns on Monday (September 1) afternoon, with the 11-race card set for a 1:30 p.m. EDT start. The blockbuster Labor Day program features the 60th Cane Pace, the Shady Daisy, a preliminary Miss Versatility event, and the second half of the Vernon/Tioga Drivers' Championship.

(With files from Tioga Downs)