Bettors Reward did just what his name indicates and sent his backers home happy in Sunday's featured $16,500 Open Pace at Tioga Downs
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Sent off as the $1.80 second choice, Mike Simons allowed the early action to unfold in front of him while taking a seat fourth along the rail. Favourite Fox Valley Tribal and driver Fern Paquet Jr. cut the early fractions of :26.4 and :55.3.
Along the way to the half, Simons edged out Bettors Reward to what looked liked a long grind first over, but as he came eye-to-eye with Fox Valley Tribal down the backside the four-year-old gelding kicked in a little extra and was able to clear the lead just before a three-quarters, timed in 1:23.
From there on he opened up by four lengths and was able to hold off a late-charging Hay Goodlooking and Rick Plano to stop the timer in 1:52.4. Hay Goodlooking finished one and a half lengths behind in second while Voice Of Truth and Jim Meittinis was third.
Chuck Connor Jr. trains the son of Bettors Delight for Fortunate One LLC of Niagara Falls, New York.
(With files from Tioga Downs)