Penny Pincher was a force to be reckoned with, picking up mutliple cheques in the Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Tioga Downs early on in the 2011 season before a few breaks led to a one month hiatus from racing
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In her third start back from the break, Penny Pincher posted her second consecutive win at Tioga on Friday night. This time it was the $18,000 featured event for mare pacers, but Penny Pincher got strapped with post position number eight.
However, that did not stop driver Corey Braden from blasting off the wings of the gate to cut through fractions of :27, :55.4 and 1:24.3. As the field rounded the final turn, Penny Pincher was receiving heavy pressure from the first over Hello Great Mate (Lewayne Miller) and sitting the anxious pocket was Billie Bluechip (Mike Micallef).
Down the lane Braden was desperately holding on to the lead as Micallef looked for daylight up the pylons, but there was none. At the wire, Penny Pincher held off Billie Bluechip by hugging the pylons in 1:53.3. Hello Great Mate held strong despite a first over trip to nail down the show spot.
The six-year-old Bettors Delight mare is trained by James Perry for Ohio owners William Heinz and Jack Heinz.
(With files from Tioga Downs)