It’s being billed as a U.S.-Sweden duel, Market Share versus Sebastian K, but there’s also a pretty fast Canadian in the mix for the $175,000 Cutler Memorial Trot at The Meadowlands on Saturday.
Quebec-owned Intimidate earned a spot in the final with a rallying third in Sebastian K’s 1:50.1 elimination victory last weekend. It was just his second start of the year.
He’ll need some luck to overcome the favourites from post five, but don’t discount him. Even with a brand new driver.
Scott Zeron, who drove him in the elimination, is unavailable Saturday because of a family wedding, and Ron Pierce, who won the Breeders Crown final with Intimidate in 2012, opted for Sevruga in the Cutler, so trainer Luc Blais chose Vincent Ginsburg, 25, one of the leading drivers at Freehold.
“He’s young but they’ve all got to start somewhere. This could be very good for him,” said Blais, who trains Intimidate for the Determination stable of Westmount and Judy Farrow of Hemmingford, Que.
Blais said he was very impressed by Sebastian K and his record-equaling mile but “this is a very tough, experienced bunch….la crème de la crème. Four have won below 1:51. You always need a break at that level. Whatever happens, it should be exciting to watch.”
Following is the field in post order for the Cutler Memorial with drivers, trainers and morning line:
1. Sebastian K, Ake Svanstedt, Ake Svanstedt, 9-5
2. Market Share, Tim Tetrick, Linda Toscano, 8-5
3. Sevruga, Ron Pierce, Julie Miller, 8-1
4. Archangel, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke, 15-1
5. Intimidate, Vincent Ginsburg, Luc Blais, 10-1
6. Undercover Strike, Corey Callahan, Jonas Czernyson, 30-1
7. Arch Madness, George Brennan, Trond Smedshammer, 8-1
8. Possessed Fashion, John Campbell, Tom Fanning, 50-1
9. Modern Family, David Miller, Daryl Bier, 6-1
10. DWs NY Yank, Mike Lachance, Ron Burke, 30-1
To view the full list of entries for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Entries - The Meadowlands.
(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)