EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Lock Down Lindy and Spirit To Win won the Hambletonian Oaks eliminations Saturday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
The $500,000 Oaks for 3-year-old trotting fillies is the companion event to the $1 million Hambletonian. The finals of both races are Aug. 8.
The post position draw for the Oaks and the Hambletonian is Monday. The first five finishers in each elimination advanced to the final.
Lock Down Lindy took charge turning for home and held off a rally from 4/5 favorite Wild Honey by two lengths. Tim Tetrick drove for trainer Tony Alagna as she won for only the second time in 10 starts this season.
''I've had a lot of confidence in this filly all year, and it hasn't really worked out,'' Tetrick said. ''A lot of bad spots and a few mistakes here and there, mostly mine. She showed tonight what talent she does have.''
Lock Down Lindy trotted the mile in 1:51 4/5, paying $16.60.
Bright Baby Blues was third. Lady Winona and Smokinmombo also advanced to the final.
Spirit To Win reeled in 4/5 favorite Livinthefastlane in deep stretch for a two-length victory in 1:52 2/5. It was her second straight Meadowlands stakes victory, having captured the Delvin Miller Memorial last month.
She paid $9.60 to win with Brett Miller in the sulky for trainer Dustin Jones. The time was 1:52 2/5.
Sarcy was third with Rules Of The Road and Speak To Me also making the final.
