by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Faced with a host of challengers in the final 300 yards,
Oldford Farms and Tyler Buter's Antigua Hanover ($8.20) had just enough left in
reserve, digging in to stave off three late-charging rivals en route to a
1:53.3 score in Friday (May 31) evening's $11,000 Miracle Mile 2 pace for fillies
and mares at Tioga Downs.
The four-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere was beaten
to the first turn by Canaco Star (Mike Merton), but brushed to the fore
immediately upon Canaco Star's clearing at the apex of the first turn.
After setting sensible early splits of :28.2 and :56.3, Antigua Hanover
turned aside a first-over challenge from If I Didnt Care (Rick Dane), edging
clear to the top of the stretch.
After dismissing If I Didnt Care's challenge on the approach
to the far turn, Antigua Hanover withstood late charges from eventual runner-up
Bazooka Terror (Aaron Byron) and third-place finisher Dirty Girty (Greg
Merton), digging in late to prevail by a diminishing three-quarters-length
margin.
Brandon Simpson handled the driving duties aboard Antigua
Hanover for trainer Amber Buter.
Live racing resumes at Tioga Downs on Sunday (June 1)
afternoon, with the Roll With Joe Pace headlining the card. Non-wagering
events begin at 12:45 p.m. EDT, with the first of 13 pari-mutuel races
scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
