Ever Hoping A comes out on top in Plainridge feature

Plainville, MA —  After finishing second last week in the fastest mile at Plainridge Park so far this year, Ever Hoping A (Always B Miki) was a runaway winner in the $20,000 featured harness racing pace at The Ridge on Monday afternoon (April 22).

Ever Hoping A (Ron Cushing) got away third as Skyway Victor (Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Ahi Sunshine (Drew Campbell) battled to the quarter in :27 flat. After Ahi Sunshine settled on the point, Ever Hoping A was out and rolling at three-eighths and found himself taking the lead passing the half and before crossing over to the pegs.

Once he cleared, Ever Hoping A posted a :27.3 third panel while extending his lead to two lengths. With no opposition around the last turn, Ever Hoping A dashed into the lane and burst to the line on top by 4-½ in a new lifetime mark of 1:50.4.

Ever Hoping A ($2.60) is owned by his driver Cushing, in partnership with Stephen Downey, Ronald Ralph and Romanelli Racing. Heidi Cushing trains the winner.

EVER HOPING A REPLAY

The secondary featured $17,000 conditioned pace went to Always A Miki (Always B Miki, Matty Athearn) who got away third before pulling into a quick :26.3 first quarter to take the lead in front of the stands.

Always A Miki then got to the half in :55.1 and three-quarters in 1:23.3 with I’m No Outlaw (Brett Beckwith) sitting the pocket and Century Endeavor (Bruce Ranger) pressing on the outside. After rounding the last turn, I’m No Outlaw popped the deuce and took dead aim at Always A Miki while Issac (Shawn Gray) slipped into the pylon path with late pace. The trio battled in a bunch to the line where Always A Miki hung on to a one-quarter length victory in a season’s best 1:52.1.

Always A Miki ($4.40) is owned by Joe Trice and trained by Jimmy Nickerson.

ALWAYS A MIKI REPLAY

There were also a pair of $14,000 mid-level conditioned paces on the program.

The first went to Anvil Hands (Always B Miki, Jimmy Hardy) who took the lead while Alta Classic A (Ron Cushing) stalked from the pocket through fractions of :27, :55.2 and 1:23.3. Alta Classic A tipped at the top of the lane and tried to run down the leader, but Anvil Hands held his ground and closed out the deal on top by a neck in a season’s best 1:51.3.

Anvil Hands ($5.20) is owned by his driver Hardy, in partnership with David and Christine Thibault and Jolene Andrews, who also trains the winner.

ANVIL HANDS REPLAY

The second was won by Peter Petrify N (Pet Rock, Jay Randall) who pulled first-over at the half against the front-running Hespoisedtopounce A (Matty Athearn). Peter Petrify N pulled to within a length of the leader in a quick :27.3 third quarter and was even with Hespoisedtopounce A at the top of the stretch, where Nineteenth Man A (Ron Cushing) joined the fray. These three pacers battled all the way to the wire where Peter Petrify N got a neck advantage over the opposition and won in 1:52.2.

Peter Petrify N ($7.20) is owned by Michael Casalino Jr. and trained by Rob Harmon.

PETER PETRIFY N REPLAY

Matty Athearn, Brett Beckwith and Shawn Thayer each had two driving wins while trainers Randy Bickmore and Jimmy Nickerson also won two races apiece.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (April 22) with post time at 4 p.m. and will feature a $6,441 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 in race six.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts