Tuxedo, driven by Eddie Roque, won by a `lip' over Michael DeCosta's and Eddie the Great, coming from behind after trailing throughout.

The official margin of victory was one-fifth of a second, as DeCosta paid for a bad error in judgment.

Leading into the final stretch, DeCosta appeared preoccupied with looking back to see the position of his challengers rather than driving his own race.

And as his pony slowed near the tape, Roque and Tuxedo found just enough speed to nip across the line first.

This was a fitting climax to an eventful day that saw the pole position not providing its usual advantage.

DeCosta had much better fortune guiding his other two drives, Custom Eyes'd and Maple Hill T Bird. Both recorded double victories.

Other multiple winners were Michael Roberts' Just a Gigolo and Direct Toy Boy.

Paceway Debutant (David Mello) placed first in the remaining race, overtaking Bad Boy Tony in the last quarter-mile for the win.

Meanwhile, Mello's son Colin, despite not winning was joyful that his Misty's Little dream was able to move out of the 1:20 time bar and into the 1:16 bar on the strength of a strong showing.

KARATE MAT This weekend sees the local chapter of the Japan Karate Association celebrating it's 20th anniversary, with several events planned.

Included are training clinics and examinations along with a banquet, planned for Ascots, Royal Palms on Saturday.

Local head Mark Tailford yesterday announced that Teruyuki Okazaki will be here as a special guest and judge at all events. Okazaki is an eighth degree black belt based in Philadelphia.

He will be conducting training classes on Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10-11 a.m. to be followed by black belt examinations. Also on Saturday Okazaki will conduct clinics for juniors from 3-4 p.m., also to be followed by examinations.

SOFTBALL SOF Surface Trends and Palms both scored convincing victories during Bermuda Commercial Softball League action on Tuesday night at Bernard Park.

Trends hammered Team Xerox 25-8 as David Chambray and Lara Hoth both went three-for-four to lead the winners while Troy Pitcher had a two-for-three night for the losers. Randy Kowch was the winning pitcher while Ron Skaggs suffered the loss.

Palms blasted Wildcats 25-7 as Roger Thompson and Rick Weech both went two-for-three for Wildcats. For Palms, Mike Dill had a perfect four-for-four and Dean Williams four-for-five. Charles Williams Grant got the win while Dan Fronchak was the losing pitcher.

In the final game of the night Gateway beat Rubbernecks 15-4 as Mark Kaplin was the winning pitcher and Ray Horn the loser. San Hahn went two-for-three for Rubbernecks while Nigel Godfrey went four-for-five for Gateway and Mark Haplin three-for-three.

CRICKET CRI Devonshire Rec. will hold a training session on Sunday morning at 9.30 for all senior and junior players interested in playing for the club during the upcoming season.

BOWLING BOW Thompson's Towing starred during latest action in the Miller High Life Bowling League, rolling to a 191 -101 win over Stevedoring Services.

Leading the way was Victor Thompson, who produced a 233 game which help propel the winners to ax second high team game of 947 and third high series 2,685.

Next up on the night were Spoilers and they notched a rare triumph, a 22-8 win over hapless Team Spirit.

Eddie Symonds was high man for the victorious Spoilers, while Robert Darrell topped the list for Spirit.

Meanwhile, league leaders Tools & Equipment rebounded from last week's loss to Marlboro, using a consistent team effort to extinguish Dr. Pepper 20-11.

All 10 Equipment bowlers managed to roll `fives', with Ty Williams heading the pack with a 223 game.

In remaining matches Marlboro, behind Doug Hines top game and series -- 257 and 602 -- massacred New Mix Ups 27-3, while Lite Ice hammered Franklin Travel 24-6.

Tonight's schedule: Team Spirit v Tools and Equipment; Franklin Travel v Stevedoring Services; New Mix Ups v Lite Ice; Spoilers v Dr. Pepper; Marlboro v Thompson's Towing.