by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Eleven-year-old veteran Spice It Up Lindy ($7.50) turned in
a most gritty effort in Saturday (September 6) evening's $15,000 Open Trot at
Tioga Downs, reaching for the line to hold off Walked Into Heaven for a 1:54.2
score.
Jim Meittinis brushed to the fore with the SJ's Caviar
gelding after Walked Into Heaven (John Cummings, Jr.) established a solid early
tempo through a :27.4 first quarter. With Walked Into Heaven in the
pocket, SJ's Caviar relaxed the pace through a :57.4 middle half, accelerating
some on the backstretch when Stitch in Time (Brandon Simpson) commenced a
first-over rally. While Stitch in Time would sustain his bid through the
stretch, Walked Into Heaven posed the toughest threat, squeezing through at the
pegs for a late rally. Spice It Up Lindy dug in to prevail by a long
neck, holding sway for a 1:54.2 win. Walked Into Heaven and Stitch in
Time completed the top three, while 3-2 favorite Crazy About Pat (Shawn Gray)
failed to sustain a three-wide bid off the far turn, finishing sixth.
Santo Zuzolo owns and trains Spice It Up Lindy.
Jim Marohn, Jr. led all drivers with three wins on the card,
teaming up with Sand Wyndham ($3.50, 1:58.3), Stir Me Up ($4.70, 1:55.0), and
Ashcroft ($4.10, 1:57.1).
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (September 7)
afternoon. The first of 13 races is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. EDT post
time.
