SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Corey's Coming, a 3-year-old filly owned by Mike and Lyn Shanley of Albany, withstood a late charge from Hold the Cruiser to win today's eighth race at Saratoga by a nose.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux and trained by Bill Mott, both Hall of Famers, Corey's Coming ($7.90) had finished third in her previous start at Saratoga on July 30. She ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.20 on a firm Mellon Turf Course.

"We were getting a great ride from Kent. I knew that," Mike Shanley said. "As soon as I saw him get to the hedge I said, 'He's going to try to get through on the rail,' and he obviously did. It worked out perfect."

It was the second win of the meet for the Shanleys, who also scored with Freedom Rings on opening day, July 29 .... also by a nose.

"I said to Bill Mott that we won two races by a total of six inches," Shanley said. "I have this thing in racing that I tell everyone, 'It's a game of inches,' and this proves it."

The Shanleys, as well as local owners Don Lucarelli, a Schenectady native, Roddy Valente of Troy and Jim Pippo of Whitehall have each pledged to make a donation to the Make-A-Wish program run on WGY 810-AM in conjunction with the meet by Gazette handicapper Mark Cusano, now in its 22nd year. More than $181,000 has been raised.

"We're certainly looking forward to making that contribution," Shanley said. "I have to tell you, we have our family priest here today, Father Doyle, and also Mark praying for us. That might have gotten us the extra inches we needed."