Believer ($8.20), with Ridge Warren in the bike, took the $13,699 featured trot at Tioga Downs on Saturday, June 1 in 1:57.
Heavens Pic and Aaron Byron led to the quarter in :27.4. However, Believer went first-up to take control with a lap to go. He led to the half in :57.4. Conrad Dipoggio IT (Mike Merton) was first to make a move but couldn’t get close to Believer and eventually faded. Believer led to three-quarters in 1:26.3. As they reached the stretch, eventual second-place finisher Heavens Pic went all out after the leader, but Believer was too strong and dug in to win. Makadushin N Cheez (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) finished third.
A six-year-old gelding by Cantab Hall, Believer now has three wins from 12 starts this season for trainer Randy Taft. Owned by Mali Norbye and Arnold Witkin, Believer shows 25 career wins on his card.
Warren's victory with Believer was part of a driving hat trick. Braxten Boyd posted a driving double.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday, June 2 at 1 p.m. There's a 15-race card featuring New York Sires Stakes action in the three-year-old pacing fillies division.
(With files from Tioga Downs)