Sunday’s matinee program featured the Jim Derue Memorial Trotting Series Final at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The $38,200 Final was contested by eight trotters who earned points while competing in the two legs of the series on the previous two Sunday afternoons. With no horse winning both legs of the series, the Final appeared wide open. In fact, the race’s favorite Missus Mia Wallace (Credit Winner) was in by draw as she was one of several trotters who were tied in points heading into the Final. Bruce Aldrich Jr. piloted Missus Mia Wallace to a leg two victory for trainer Homer Hochstetler and the three year old filly was the 2-5 betting favorite on Sunday as she looked to score in the Final. Cruising out to an easy lead, Missus Mia Wallace coasted through a first half in 59 seconds and remained relatively unopposed until the top of the stretch. Pocket-sitting Notmeitsyou (Phil Fluet) was the runner-up in both legs of the series leading into Sunday’s Final and popped the two-hole with authority while trying to reel in the leader. Missus Mia Wallace, though, would not be denied as she prevailed in 1:58.4 on a chilly autumn afternoon in Saratoga. Notmeitsyou wound up second-best for the fourth consecutive start while leg two winner Minne Cheatum (Jimmy Devaux) had to settle for the show spot. Missus Mia Wallace becomes the sixth winner of the Jim Derue Memorial Trotting Series which began back in 2013, joining the list of previous winners that consists of Jelectric, The Lindy Treaty, Showmeyourguns, Aberforth and Dressed To Impress.
Live racing resumes on Thursday afternoon at Saratoga with a first post time of 12:15pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
