Speculation and driver Jim Meittinis captured Saturday night’s $16,000 open handicap trot at Tioga Downs, one of four wins on the card for Jim Meittinis. Leaving from post position number four after the field was scratched down to five, Meittinis got away last as Waiting On A Woman (Jim Marohn Jr.) took the field to the quarter in 27.2. Marohn and Waiting On A Woman continued to lead the field by the half mile mark in 55.3 as Fox Valley Smarty (Corey Braden) was parked out in second. Down the backside, Waiting On A Woman was still in command as Meittinis got underway from last and moved Speculation into second over position behind Fox Valley Smarty as the field reached three quarters in 1:23.3. Just past the three quarter mile mark of the race, Waiting On A Woman made a break on the lead leaving Gaelic And Garlic (Fern Paquet Jr.) in control of the race with Speculation making a three wide move around the final turn. In the stretch, Gaelic And Garlic was clinging to a short lead, but a closing Speculation would not be denied and got up to win by a nose in 1:55.1.
The win was the fourth of the year for the 7-year old son of Pistols N Spurs – Mathers Cunchita, who is trained by Robert Bath. With the win, Speculation increased his seasonal earnings to more than $78,000 for owner Cozette Mcavoy of Pennsylvania.
Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Sunday, September 8 with a post time of 1:30pm, featuring two divisions of NYSS for 3-year old colt and gelding trotters. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com .
