The Horse & Groom Series got underway at the Meadowlands Sunday afternoon, with a trio of $20,000 co-ed
tilts on tap for the trotters.
The opening division went to Rompaway Alvin, who prevailed in first-over fashion for driver Ron Pierce and trainer Pete Kleinhans.
The four-year-old son of Dream Vacation sat third while Kajan Kooker and Wind Surfer took turns on the lead through opening panels of :29.3 and :59.1. Pierce angled his charge off the rail as the field headed into the final turn, and quickly drew alongside leader Wind Surfer as they rolled by the three-quarter pole in 1:28.1.
Despite getting away with very sensible fractions, Wind Surfer could not fend off his persistent, first-over foe. Rompaway Alvin got up in the final strides to pick off Wind Surfer in a time of 1:55.3. Kajan Kooker was a distant third.
Rompaway Alvin, who is owned by P Kleinhans Racing Inc. of Flemington, NJ, picked up his second win of the season in four tries. The 12-time winner has banked $68,513 to date.
Lucky Jim stepped to a career-best clocking of 1:53.2 in the second division for the husband and wife duo of trainer Julie Miller and driver Andy Miller.
The four-year-old son of S Js Photo rallied to the impressive score over Sauce Two K and Shoeless White Sox. It was the gelding’s fourth win of the season in as many tries.
David & John Prushnok share ownership on the career winner of $148,203 with Lindwood Farm and William Gregg.
Driver David Miller went gate-to-wire in the final division with Stand Guard, who whacked out panels of :28.3, :57.1 and 1:26 en route to the career-best clocking of 1:54.2.
Race favourite Knight Of Intrigue, who pressed Stand Guard around the final turn all the way down the lane, couldn’t get past the leader and had to settle for the bridesmaid award. Third prize went to Azur.
Ken Rucker conditions the four-year-old son of Conway Hall, who picked up his first win of the season for the partnership of The Panhellenic Stb. Corp., Rucker Stable Inc., Engel Stable LLC and Robert Feldman. The nine-time winner has potted $162,804 in career earnings.
The second leg of the Horse & Groom Series goes next Sunday afternoon at The Meadowlands, with the $80,000 (est.) final scheduled for Sunday, March 15.
To view Sunday’s results, click here.