Ever Hoping A captured the $17,568 featured pace at Tioga Downs on Sunday (Sept. 8) evening for his eighth win of the year.
Rockin On Venus (Tyler Miller) was first to the quarter in :27 before Ever Hoping A (Ron Cushing) took command with a lap to go. Ever Hoping A clicked out the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:23. As the reached the top of the stretch, Rockin On Venus popped the pocket and went all out after the leader, but Ever Hoping A dug in leaving Rockin On Venus second best. Tam Major A (Braxten Boyd) finished third. The final time of the mile read 1:51.2.
Ever Hoping A is a six-year-old Always B Miki gelding trained by Heidi Cushing for owners Ron Cushing, Stephen Downey, Ronald Ralph, and Romanelli Racing.
Aaron Byron and Braxten Boyd had driving triples while Mike Deters, Vern Smith, Heidi Cushing, and Michelle Cushing each had training doubles.
Live racing at Tioga Downs returns on Friday (Sept. 13) at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)