Marcus Melander shined brightest at The Meadowlands Friday night, as his trainees scored three times among the 10 divisions for the first leg of the Kindergarten Classic for two-year-olds of both sexes and gait.
Moonstone S was the first winner of the night for Melander in the third-race colts and geldings trot. The son of Muscle Hill-Moonlight Kronos, who finished second in the Peter Haughton Memorial, pulled the pocket after the half and sailed to an easy two-and-a-half-length score as the 6-5 favourite with Tim Tetrick driving. He recorded his first win in five starts after stopping the clock in 1:55.
Melander and Brian Sears teamed up to take the fourth race filly trot with Ineffable, a daughter of Cantab Hall-Jolene Jolene who won for the second time in five tries. The 6-5 public choice, who was third in the Jim Doherty Memorial, emerged from the pocket to win by a half-length in 1:56.2.
In Race 7, Melander completed his three-bagger with a second score in a colts and geldings trot as his Sonofamistery, with Sears driving, rolled to an easy one-and-three-quarter-length win in 1:56.1 after racing parked out for the final half mile. The son of Muscle Hill-Mistery Woman, who broke in each of his first two seasonal starts, paid $3.00 after being sent off as the heavy 1-2 favourite. He’s now won twice from four outings.
BIG ACTION: Betting was vigorous in the two multi-leg wagers that offered carryovers. The Late 20-cent Pick 5, which had $21,811 in the hat to start, attracted $123,810 in “new money” for a total pool of $145,621. Those who had tickets with the combination of 5-8-6-6-5 cashed in for $414.64. The Late 20-cent Pick 4 sported a total pool of $172,828 after $134,438 was added to the $38,390 carryover. Tickets reading 8-6-6-5 returned $344.30. All-source wagering totaled $2,618,071.
A LITTLE MORE: Lindysmusclemania stayed perfect in three starts after taking a Kindergarten division for trotting colts and geldings. The Ake Svanstedt-trained son of Muscle Hill-Possessed By Lindy hit the wire in a lifetime-best 1:54.4, three-and-a-half lengths to the good with Andy Miller driving the 6-5 favourite.
Speaking of favourites, they scored in nine straight races beginning in race two. By night’s end, 10 post-time choices had visited the winner’s circle from 13 races.
Live racing resumes Saturday (Sept. 19) at 7:15 p.m. (EDT).
(Meadowlands Racetrack)