On The Cusp seized the lead and never looked back, making every pole a winning one in Friday's $15,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares at Tioga Downs.
Shawn Gray sent the seven-year-old Camluck mare immediately to the fore, tracked throughout by Inittowinafortune (Aaron Byron). With 1-2 favourite Pan Luis Obispo (Jim Meittinis) away just worse than midpack, On The Cusp maintained an honest pace through a :55.2 half-mile, far from grueling. While Pan Luis Obispo never proved a threat, stalling at head-stretch amid her three-wide bid off cover, Inittowinafortune chased stoutly in the final eighth, but On the Cusp had plenty left in reserve to stave her off. On the Cusp prevailed by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:51.1 over Inittowinafortune. Southwind Trini (Jim Marohn, Jr.) rallied late off a stalking trip to hold third.
Dylan Davis trains On The Cusp for owner Kapildeo Singh.
While visiting driver Shawn Gray took the evening's featured event, Phil Fluet won four of the night's nine races to lead all drivers for the evening. Fluet proved victorious with Weekend Getaway (1:54), Martha Michelle (1:56), Cashamatic (2:00), and Princess Bliss (1:54.4). Blows Me Away nearly gave Fluet a fifth win on the card, but the pair were outkicked by Aint Got A Home and Aaron Byron in the final yards of the evening's eighth event.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday evening, with first post at 6:15 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)