Mike Sinclair's Heavenly Bet ($2.50) was heavily bet before her decisive 1:54.4 triumph in the first round of the Gail's Diner Late Closing Series for three-year-old pacing fillies, brushing and edging clear of her six foes on Saturday (May 7) evening at Tioga Downs.
Tioga newcomer Scott Coulter moved the three-year-old Bettors Delight filly to the fore after tracking a :27 first quarter, working clear of Ghost Runner (Tom Jackson) with a circuit to go. Heavenly Bet faced mild pressure from the first-over Seafood Linda (Jim Meittinis) through a :57.4 middle half, but edged clear off the far turn to a three-length victory. Stirling Electra (Corey Braden) was elevated to second after she was impeded by Seafood Linda--who ducked in abruptly before giving chase--off the far turn.
Ed Hart trainee Shesgotthebeat ($13.00, part of entry) took the other $7,500 Gail's Diner split, pouncing from the pocket to defeat Winners Over (Dan Clements) by one and a half lengths in 1:55.2 under Jim Meittinis.
A pair of $8,200 top-level conditioned events rounded out the Opening Night features, with B L Class Act ($5.10, John Cummings Jr.) just wearing down Dragin The Wagon for a 1:56 score in the top trot, and Asset Management ($30.40, Fern Paquet Jr.) holding sway after a demanding early pace to upset distaff pacers in 1:54.2.
John Cummings Jr. and Jim Taggart Jr. led all drivers with two wins apiece on the 11-race card.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (May 8), with the Mother's Day 13-race card due to commence at 1:30 p.m. EDT and full-card coverage on the Tioga Downs Racing Network to begin at 1:05 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)