While Aaron Byron scored a Saturday (July 12) night grand slam at Tioga Downs, he could only muster second honours in the evening's featured $14,000 Miracle Mile 1 Trot.
I Love New York ($18.40) dug in through the stretch to narrowly prevail. The six-year-old Broadway Hall entire brushed to the lead after Obrigado (Aaron Byron) pushed clear in a :28.4 first quarter, rating a :57.4 middle half before facing pressure on the far turn. With 300 yards to go, I Love New York dug in to turn aside the first-over Stitch in Time (Jim Marohn, Jr.), and dug in late to stave off an inside rally from Obrigado, prevailing narrowly in 1:55.2. Trainer-driver Bruce Clarke co-owns I Love New York with John Coffey and Patricia Waldeck.
While I Love New York took top trotting honors on the night, Aaron Byron took top driving honours, teaming up with Muscles to Spare (1:57.3), B L Class Act (1:55.3), Joanns Princess (1:57.0), and Clearwater Hanover (1:55.1) for his quartet of wins on the card.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs with an 11-race Sunday (July 13) afternoon card. First post is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
(Tioga)