Meadowlands qualifiers were off at 10 a.m. on Saturday (April 22) with temperatures in the mid teens (57°F / 14°C) and a trace wind aiding the horses in the homestretch.
A strong representation of all divisions of sophomores were featured on the day.
An accomplished field of five really fast colt pacers saw NJSS champ Voukefalas (Jordan Stratton) wear down a resilient Breeders Crown champ Ammo (David Miller) through a :25.4 on the board final quarter to get the win in 1:52.2. Handlelikeaporsche (Dexter Dunn) split horses willingly late to be third.
Its My Show (Scott Zeron) was uber-impressive again, held in mid-pack until unleashed up the inside through the official :26.1 final panel of the 1:54 mile to win while under no urging. Cannibal (Josert Fonseca) led to the :59.2 half, surrendered to Loubet, then re-rallied past that rival late to nab second. Loubet (Yannick Gingras) led through the final turn but could not rebuff the late bids of the top two.
Ervin Hanover (Gingras; pictured above) rallied wide to win in 1:52.1 home in less than the :26.3 that flashed on the timer, staving off the late up the inside surge of Fulton (Dunn). Blue Hunt (Tim Tetrick) also paced hard in the stretch to get third.
Christchurch (Fonseca) won in 1:53.1 on a loose lead the whole way, home in :27.3 over Command (Todd McCarthy) who offered a mile late rally to be second best today. Lousain Bolt (Gingras) sat a loose pocket to the winner throughout and had no answer when they accelerated.
Just as lunch time drew near, pacing filly Hungry For Love (David Miller) rolled up first over, wore down leader Cantgetyououtamymind (Andy McCarthy) then held off the close of stablemate Strong Poison (Gingras) for the win in 1:52.3.
Quick E (Todd McCarthy) cut the mile, setting even fractions, then kicked home in :27 to close the 1:52.2 mile, holding the late bid of Odds On Hail Mary (Zeron) at bay for the win.
Colt trotter Air Power impressed this morning, willingly trotting home in :27 flat to distance his rivals in 1:57.1 for Team Melander. Grown Account (Marvin Luna) was next across the wire.
The talented Muscle Hill colt Little Expensive was impressive, trotting home strong in :27.4 out of the pocket to win in 1:56. Tillios Action (Stratton) was wide in the stretch with good late trot. Point Of Perfect (Gingras) recovered from an early break well, closing up the inside for third.
Ari Ferrari J (Dunn) has come back very well for trainer Tony Alagna and rode along behind mile cutter Espresso (Andy Miller) before finishing the 1:55.2 mile in :27.1 with plenty left. Celebrity Bambino (Gingras) followed the winner but could not threaten.
Filly trotter Sadie Hanover (Zeron) has moved forward from her freshman form for Linda Toscano, closing comfortably in the stretch for the 1:56.3 win, home in :28.1. Blonde Bombshell (David Miller) willingly closed it up to be a good second with Walner Payton (Dunn) third off a good trip.
Emira Mil IT (Ake Svanstedt) just got up in time for a 1:58.2, home in :28.2, win over an even field of sophomore trotting fillies.
The older set was represented as well today. Energetic Hanover (Zeron) was a winner for owner Sam Bowie and trainer Tony Alagna in 1:52.3, home in :26.4 from the pocket under no urging. Hammering Hank (Dunn) had good pace late closing into the quick final panel on his own. Mind Hunter held third after cutting the mile.
Ake Svanstedt put the good trotting mare Ghostintheshell S on the lead and went slow numbers before asking her and she responded with a :28 end to a 1:57.1 mile but wasn’t that strong through the wire. Rattle My Cage (Sarah Svanstedt) raged home into the :28 quarter and was gaining fast on the winner but had too much to do. Distance Learning (Dunn) was even and not asked, third best.
Jordan Stratton picked up the drive on Harry Knows IR and held safe in 1:54.3 after cutting moderate fractions and trotting home in :28.3. Incommunicado had plenty of trot out of the pocket and just ran out of racetrack for Mrs. Svanstedt to be second. Ambassador Hanover, Balenciaga and Amigo Volo were all solid and finished under minimal urging.
Live harness racing resumes at the Big M this evening at 6:20 p.m.
(Meadowlands)