Guardian Angel As stretched out odds-on favourite Ariana G trotting through the stretch to the first turn but the world-champion Jimmy Takter trainee trotted unfazed on the lead and coasted to a 2:05 win in the $405,850 Hambletonian Maturity going one-and-one-eighth miles.

Trotting the first quarter in :25.3, Ariana G cleared the lead from rail-leaver Guardian Angel As moving into the first turn. Yes Mickey tracked the top two from third as the order remained unchanged passing the half in :54.3.

Bills Man flushed first over entering the final turn, supplying cover to Top Flight Angel second over and International Moni third over. Following three-quarters in 1:23.2, Ariana G gained separation from Guardian Angel As in the pocket turning into the lane and was clear heading to the line. Bills Man slid by horses to take second from Top Flight Angel rallying off cover for third, while International Moni also closed for fourth.

Earning $2.2 million and winning 24 of 31 starts, Ariana G is a homebred four-year-old mare for Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld. Yannick Gingras drove the daughter of Muscle Hill, from the Cantab Hall mare Cantab It All, who paid $2.60 to win.

“I was a little nervous when I saw a :25.3 first quarter from the nine post,” Takter said after the race. “I knew it was going to cost a little down the stretch [but] she’s just an amazing horse.”

Takter also said after the race that Ariana G’s next race would be against the boys in the John Cashman Memorial on Hambletonian Day Saturday, Aug. 4.

The Hambletonian Maturity was held on the Saturday stakes card at the Meadowlands, with recaps of the other highlighted events available on the 2018 Meadowlands Pace News Centre.