Canadian star Silver Label equalled the 1:47.3 stakes record with a lifetime-best performance in a hotly contested edition of the $171,400 Lady Liberty for pacing mares on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 5) at The Meadowlands.
The action was non-stop from start to finish with a full field of top distaffers vying for the Hambletonian Day victory, resulting in four lead changes through first half fractions of :26.3 and :53.1.
Max Contract (Andy Miller) was first to the front before Grace Hill (Doug McNair) made an appearance on the lead then the 6-5 favourite, Test Of Faith (David Miller), took over and defending Lady Liberty champion Kobes Gigi (Brian Sears) rushed by shortly after.
Driver Scott Zeron sent Silver Label first-over from there as the hot pace continued and forged ahead of Kobes Gigi past three-quarters in 1:19.4 then held clear through the lane for the career-best victory. Mikala (George Brennan) closed late for second with Grace Hill third.
"I've been in that first-up position with her when she came home in :25 [in the Perfect Sting on July 1]. I know she doesn't mind it. It wasn't the ideal spot I wanted to be, but with the amount of movement there was in that race, I was never going to get cover," said Zeron of the winning trip. "She just raced super."
Nick Gallucci trains the millionaire Bettors Delight-Hidden Gem mare for owner/breeder Millar Farms of Stouffville, Ont.
Silver Label equalled the 1:47.3 stakes record set by Put On The Show back in 2012. He previous best was a 1:48.4 score in a Mares Preferred last Friday at her home track, Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Returning to the Meadowlands where she won the Perfect Sting Stakes and finished third in the Dorothy Haughton last month, Silver Label paid $10.60 to win at odds of 4-1.
Following up an O'Brien Award-winning sophomore campaign, she is now seven-for-12 this year and has 19 wins lifetime from 34 starts.
Click on the following link for coverage of the 2023 Hambletonian and a replay of the day's stakes events.