Leg two of the Rags To Riches was the feature of the final Thursday live racing card of the season at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
As a result of fewer than anticipated nominations, the format was adjusted to conventional standings rather than the bracket format, so virtually all of last week's contestants returned for two divisions of the second leg.
Hopskipanajump went postward as the 1-2 favourite off a win in round one and rewarded his backers with a comfortable score. David Miller held him just off the pace following longshot leaver Cheyenne Umberto, who was parked and pressing pacesetter In Kennys Honor from the start. Miller shifted Hopskipanajump into the three-path just past the half and cleared in a matter of strides, opening up a long lead and coasting in an eased up 1:53.3 winner.
Michael Calimeri certainly made an astute claim when he haltered this five-year-old gelding, who was racing at Kawartha Downs at the time. Trainer Lisa Zabielski has kept him sharp thus far with the promise of "riches" now in clear sight.
The second division was all Cane Ridge. Yannick Gingras put him on the lead early, fought off token middle half pressure then sprinted to a clear lead off the final turn, holding safe in 1:52.2. Doug Dilloian Jr. trains the seven-year-old gelding, who was a first leg runner-up, for Darius P. Oshidar and he has the look of a contender for the balance of the series.
John Campbell and Yannick Gingras scored driving doubles on the night and large payoffs continued, as the Pick 5 returned over $20,098 for a 50-cent bet, the late Pick 4 was $5,523 and the early Pick 4 came back $5,402 for the $1 minimum wager.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Thursday Results - Meadowlands Racetrack.
(With files from Meadowlands)