by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga

Saratoga Springs, NY — Gianni (Yankee Glide) matched his lifetime mark in Thursday’s (Sept. 1) feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Gianni matched his lifetime mark in Thursday’s feature at Saratoga.

The Chris Marino trainee with Austin Siegelman up. followed the cover of the race’s favorite Up The Alley (Billy Dobson) before tracking him down in the stretch in the $10,000 feature for trotters.

Gianni, who returned $10.20 to win, recorded his fourth victory of the season when he stopped the timer in a career best-matching 1:56.2. Up The Alley won the place photo with Sweet Thing (Bruce Aldrich Jr.), who had to settle for third.

Gianni completed a training double for Chris Marino whose Hezabluechipboy N (Santanna Blue Chip) prevailed in a career best 1:55.3. The New Zealand invader was making his first start in the U.S. when he wired the field in Thursday’s non-winners of two races lifetime pace for colts and geldings. Hezabluechipboy N was driven to victory by Mark Beckwith.

Live racing continues on Friday night at Saratoga with a 7:05 p.m. first post.