by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Gaming and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — In 70 years of harness racing at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, there has never been a faster mile trotted than the one put up by A Crown For Lindy on Friday night (August 13).

The August Fun Free-For-All Trotting Series saw its third and final leg take place on Friday as the top trotters got their last chance to vie for points towards next Saturday night’s $60,000 final.

Dave Oxford photo

A Crown For Lindy lowered the all-age track trotting record at Saratoga to 1:54.4 on Friday night.

A Crown For Lindy finished second in his local debut two weeks ago in the series’ first leg and following a race at the Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day, came back to the Spa for one last attempt to earn points towards the final.

Wally Hennessey picked up the catch driver for trainer Frank Antonacci and fired the 4-year-old up early on. After getting parked to the quarter in :27.3, A Crown For Lindy yielded the lead to Grain Of Truth (Ray Schnittker), the race’s favorite, heading to the half. Those two drew away past a three-quarters of 1:25.2 before A Crown Of Lindy came on to win it, stopping the timer in a dazzling 1:54.4, the fastest in track history.

The win time eclipsed the mark set nearly two years to the day by Prime Interest, who was one of the competitors for A Crown For Lindy on Friday night.

Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga featuring the final leg of the Gerrity Pacing Series as part of “Back to the Track” night, the nationwide celebration of harness racing. First post is set for 7:20 p.m.