After proving a gritty winner in both his preliminary events, Jeneral Patton ($2.80) earned a hard-fought 1:51.3 victory in Sunday (July 5) afternoon's $42,800 final of the Nichols True Value Pacing Series at Tioga Downs.
Jim Marohn Jr. brushed to the lead with the four-year-old Art Major entire after a :27 first quarter, clearing Gokudo Hanover (Tom Jackson) with a circuit to go but then yielding to Lets Foal Around (Mike Simons), who claimed command on entry to the clubhouse turn after duelling for the lead at race's outset. With Lets Foal Around taking charge through a :54.3 half-mile, Jeneral Patton was able to draft along comfortably in the pocket as the mid-race leader faced heavier pressure. With three-eighths to go, Lets Foal Around faced pressure from a first-over Idealbeach Hanover (Brandon Simpson), and the two duelled through a 1:22.1 three-quarter sectional while Marohn angled Jeneral Patton three-wide on the far turn. In upper stretch, Lets Foal Around kicked clear of his duelling rivals, but was chased valiantly by a late-charging Stratocaster (Aaron Byron) up the pegs. Jeneral Patton responded to the late threat, holding sway by half a length. Stratocaster's potent inside kick earned him second honours, and the tiring Lets Foal Around held third.
Linda Toscano trains Jeneral Patton for owner Kenneth Jacobs.
Marohn took the $10,000 Open II Pace earlier on the card, driving Ron Burke trainee Eastend Eddie ($3.30) to a four and a half length win over Electrofire (Simons) and Lauxmont Capri (Jim Taggart Jr.) by way of a third-over trip. After losing cover on the approach to the far turn, the seven-year-old Million Dollar Cam gelding began to edge away, drawing off for a 1:51.2 score.
The afternoon's co-featured Open I Pace carried a purse of $14,000, and saw Believe This Bob ($3.30) dictate the terms through strong fractions before drawing clear to a three and a half length win over U Belong To Me (Marohn) and Bettorsluckystreak (Taggart). Aaron Byron drove the seven-year-old Beach Romeo gelding for trainer Joe Skowyra.
Byron led all drivers with three wins on the 11-race card.
(Tioga Downs)