The Meadows’ Wednesday card showcased the first two-year-old races of the season, a trio of events that featured the impressive career-debut of Melanies Sharkette.
The homebred daughter of Shark Gesture-Bordeaux Nourrir moved first over from third for Dave Palone and cruised to victory in 1:55.3, five and three-quarter lengths better than Remember Dee. Fashion Villager was third. Mike Palone trains Melanies Sharkette for Fran Azur.
Also sharp in his career opener was Smokinmombo, who trotted in 2:00.2 for Aaron Merriman despite being used twice in the mile. Blessings Counted was second, three-quarters of a length back, while Avalon Hall earned show after a slow start. Chris Beaver conditions Smokinmombo, a daughter of Explosive Matter-Horizontal Mombo, and owns with Synerco Ventures and James Gallagher.
The third race for freshman went to Gray Camo, who stalked Berkley from the pocket and blew by in the lane for Tony Hall to down Berkley by a neck in 1:56.2. Cams Fernando completed the ticket. Ron Burke trains the son of Pine Valley-CGs Gem for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Richard Suda and Jason Melillo.
In the $18,000 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot, Cowgirl Hall made it two straight with an in-hand, front-end victory over the pocket-sitting Daylon Miracle, downing her by three and a quarter lengths in 1:53.2, with the rallying Trotslikethewind third. Palone drove for Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Jack Piatt III and Michael Rosenthal. The six-year-old daughter of Cash Hall-Centerfold Hall extended her career bankroll to $541,303.
Merriman piloted four winners on the 15-race card while Palone and Burke teamed for a triple.
(The Meadows)