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 SJs 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, Spice It Up Lindy 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 favourite 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).
(Tioga Downs)