by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs & Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — On Sunday afternoon, Tioga Downs held the fourth and final division of the Miss Versatility trotting series and Maven completed the sweep with regular pilot Yannick Gingras.

Fred J. Brown photo

Maven captured the final division of the Miss Versatility trotting series on Sunday at Tioga Downs in 1:53.3.

Leaving from post position number six in a field scratched down to eight, Maven got away second as Cedar Dove (Ron Pierce) got to the opening quarter in 28.1. As the field headed towards the half-mile mark, Pierce had the field at a crawl and Gingras decided it was time to move Maven to the outside just after the three-eighth’s mark as the field went by the half in 57.2. Down the backside, Pierce attempted to step away from the rest of the field with a third panel in 27.2, but Maven would not go away and as the field entered the stretch, Maven had a quarter length advantage on the field. Down the stretch, Maven stepped away from the field and was able to hold off a late charge by Beatgoeson Hanover (David Miller) to win by a neck in 1:53.3.

It was the sixth win in eight seasonal starts for the 4-year old daughter of Glidemaster – M Stewart, who is owned by W J Donovan of Florida, and is trained by Jonas Czernyson.

Beatgoeson Hanover (David Miller) got up for second, while Cedar Dove (Ron Pierce) hung on for third.

The $100,000e Miss Versatility Final will be held on Jug Day in Delaware, OH (September 19) with the top eight point earners that declare making the final.

Tioga Downs also held three divisions for 2-year-old colt trotters in the Kindergarten Classic which were won by Southwind Spirit (Yannick Gingras 1:56.1) a 2-year old son of Muscle Hill–Spice On Ice, Toss Cartwright (Corey Callahan 1:57) a 2-year old Muscles Yankee–Toss Up, and Resolve (Roman Lopez 1:55.2) a 2-year old son of Muscle Hill–Anikawiesahalee which equaled the track record for 2-year-old colt trotters held by Delano from 2011.

Two divisions for 2-year -old filly trotters were also held on Sunday in the Kindergarten Classic: You And I (John Campbell 1:56.3) a 2-year old daughter of Muscles Yankee–Spendthrift and Chocolate Crisp (Tim Tetrick 1:56.1) 2-year old Chocolatier–Yankee Valentine.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Friday, August 30 with a post time of 6:50 pm. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.