by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Before a healthy Independence Day crowd, Antigua Hanover
($4.40) parried a late charge from Solid Queen to take the Friday (July 4)
distaff feature at Tioga Downs.
The $11,000 Miracle Mile 2 pace for fillies and mares
featured a field of six, with Ideal Helen (John Cummings, Jr.) dictating the
pace early after clearing from the extreme outside. After rating a :56.2
half mile, Brandon Simpson advanced first-over with 6-5 favorite Antigua
Hanover. Midway up the backstretch, the four-year-old Somebeachsomewhere
mare pushed clear of Ideal Helen, carrying Sinspirational (Aaron Byron) into
second through a 1:24.3 three-quarter split. While edging clear by 1-3/4
lengths off the far turn, Antigua Hanover soon found herself in the sights of
Solid Queen (Corey Braden), who rallied late off cover, but only could close to
within a half length of Antigua Hanover's 1:53.3 victory. V'la Faire
(Mike Merton), also a beneficiary of late live cover, sustained a late bid to
take third.
Amber Buter trains Antigua Hanover for Oldford Farms and
Tyler Buter.
Racing resumes at Tioga with a Sunday (July 6) afternoon
program. Post time for the 10-race card is slated for 1:30 p.m.
