Tioga Downs played host to two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies on Monday, with DD Delicious and Zero Tolerance winning their respective assignments.
DD Delicious (Jim Morrill, Jr) came flying late to capture her $57,600 division.
So Awesome (Tim Tetrick) was the big favourite and went to the front and led the group to a first quarter of :28.1. She controlled the pace as they hit the half in :57.1. JK American Beauty (Scott Zeron) would make the first move. She came first-over from third and started to pressure So Awesome as they headed for the last turn. So Awesome maintained a short lead as they hit three-quarters in 1:25. The two fillies remained side by side all around the final turn.
DD Delicious ($13.40), who is owned by Fiddlers Creek Stables and trained by Travis Alexander, followed in the pocket the whole trip. In mid-stretch she found an opening on the inside and turned on the after burners to slip by and pick up the win in 1:54.1. So Awesome had to settle for second with the late charging Hurrikane Norakane (David Miller) getting third.
DD Delicious, a daughter of Art Major, nabbed her third win in five starts this season.
Zero Tolerance (David Miller) cruised to an easy win in her $56,500 division.
Brooklyn Lilacs (Joe Bongiorno) set the pace and carved out fractions of :27.3, :56.2 and 1:24. Zero Tolerance ($2.10), who is trained by Joe Holloway for owners Val D Or Farms and Theodore Gewertz, patiently followed in second. She took over around the final turn. As she hit the stretch, the filly found another gear and won by over 10 lengths in 1:53.2. My Lady Dude (Scott Zeron) came up to finish second. Brooklyn Lilacs had to settle for third.
Zero Tolerance, a daughter of Heston Blue Chip, picked up her third win as a sophomore. She now owns 10 career victories.
Scott Zeron drove three winners on the day. He got his wins with Haydens Little Man ($4.40), American Sombrero ($6.50) and Chase You ($3.80).
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Friday evening. Post time is 6:15 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)