Sandy Sue is aging like a fine wine! The eight-year-old black daughter of Shark Gesture showed eight younger adversaries how it's done in Miami Valley’s $30,000 Mares Open Handicap on Thursday (Jan.19), winning in 1:53.3 as the lukewarm favourite.
Racing against a full field of four-, five- and six-year-old mares at the top of their games, Sandy Sue benefitted from an advantageous pocket trip to rally past pacesetter Shesonebadmomma by finding room along the open stretch. Single Girl and Grace Rocks also threatened in deep stretch but had to settle for the place and show finishes in the end. On a day when high winds prevailed at Miami Valley, Shesonebadmomma posted fractions in the feature race of :27.4, :57 and 1:24.3 before faltering to fourth in the final furlong.
Sandy Sue is owned by the Eleven Star Stable, Bill Boyce and Cassie George.
It was the fourth win on the day for driver Trace Tetrick, vaulting him back ahead of Brett Miller to the top of the dash standings. Three of those wins came driving red-hot trainer Tyler George’s charges including Sandy Sue, who paid $6.80 to win. The Tetrick-George combo also teamed to win with Machaholic ($5) in a $30,000 claiming pace and Millwood Bonnie N ($7.60) in an $18,000 high conditions distaff pace. Tetrick also guided winning trotter Team Jesse ($3.60) to victory for trainer Brian Georges.
Miami Valley will be dark on Friday (Jan. 20) and Saturday (Jan. 21), then resumes the normal Sunday through Thursday live racing schedule with post time at 4 p.m. (EST) daily.
(Miami Valley Raceway)