Sweet Hayley Jane A kept her Tioga Downs record untarnished by winning her second straight start against the Open distaffers at the Nichols, New York oval on Friday, May 29.
In this week's $19,444 Fillies & Mares Open Pace, 1-4 favourite Sweet Hayley Jane A ($2.72) and driver/co-owner Ron Cushing moved first-up from third heading into the backstretch after opening panels were clocked in :27.3 and :55.4 by inside leaver Vel Cinderella (Joe Chindano Jr.). Sweet Hayley Jane A nosed out the early pacesetter at three-quarters in 1:23.1 and forged ahead down the stretch before holding off 187-1 longshot Huntressville A (Jim Pantaleano), who swung three-wide from the pocket off the final turn. The bettors' choice prevailed by half a length in 1:51.3. Vel Cinderella settled for third more than two lengths behind.
Heidi Cushing trains Sweet Hayley Jane A, who is co-owned by Kevin Sywyk of Swartz Creek, Michigan.
The six-year-old Sweet Lou-Tacthayleysdelight mare has been racing in North America since last December and has won seven of her 16 starts since her arrival from Australia. Lifetime, she has won 19 of her 61 races and $188,730.
The next card of live harness racing at Tioga Downs is set for Saturday, May 30, with post time at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)