Gate-to-wire wins Saratoga feature

With no Open Pace on the docket, the $13,000 Winners Over for pacers was the harness racing feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday night.

Mikibytheseaside (Always B Miki) made his 2022 debut in the feature coming off a pair of qualifiers in which he went coast-to-coast.

The Andy Sardella trainee came to the Spa last fall and rattled off victories in his first three local starts before taking the winter off.

On Saturday, he was the 9-5 second choice in the wagering when driver Jay Randall pointed him out to the lead in the Winners Over race.

Following a reasonable first half that went in 57.3, the four-year-old cruised through a third quarter in 27.3 while hounded by the favored Oregon Trail (Billy Dobson) who was first-over. Mikibytheseaside put that rival away in the stretch and reported home a winner in 1:54 in his return. Oregon Trail was a game runner-up while Northern Rein (Leon Bailey) earned the show spot.

Mikibytheseaside paid $5.90 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $19.20 and $240, respectively. The winner is owned by Mike and Bill Pozefsky of New York.

MIKIBYTHESEASIDE REPLAY

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee that begins at noon.

For full race results, click here.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway