by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
After a dominant 1:53.3 win in last week's sub-featured
trotting event, Spice It Up Lindy ($6.50) sustained a first-over bid en route
to a 1:54.3 triumph in Saturday (July 19) evening's $14,000 Miracle Mile 1 trot
at Tioga Downs.
With the two mares in the field--As Ya'll Like It (Brandon
Simpson) and Dough Dough (Mike Simons)--assuming the pacesetting duties with a
circuit remaining and Spice It Up Lindy eight lengths off the lead while
trailing the sextet, Jim Meittinis angled the 11-year-old SJ's Caviar gelding
first-over, progressing steadily after a :57.1 half-mile and into a :27.4 third
quarter. On the far turn, Spice It Up Lindy turned up the pressure on As
Ya'll Like It, taking the lead off the corner and kicking clear. In the
final sixteenth, Dough Dough found room at the pegs to re-rally, but only got
to within a length of Spice It Up Lindy. Mr Web Page (Aaron Byron)
followed the winner's cover throughout, staying on for third.
Santo Zuzolo owns and trains Spice It Up Lindy, who scored
his 30th career win.
The winning drive in the feature kicked off a hat trick on
the evening for Meittinis, who tied Brandon Simpson with three driving wins on
the night.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (July 20)
afternoon, with the first of 11 races slated for 1:30 p.m. EDT.
