The second leg of the White Ruffles Series for four-year-old mares went postward on Thursday
at the Meadowlands, with four $12,500 divisions on tap .
Despite posting a 1:56 victory in the opening leg of the series, TCs Delight was sent off as a 5-1 outside in her second leg assignment – but that didn’t stop her from posting a narrow win in 1:55 for driver Brian Sears and trainer John Stark, Jr. The daughter of Bettors Delight swept off cover and used a :28-second final frame to post the neck decision over Im All Country. RD Blues was third.
Stark holds the papers on the pacer, who now boasts a 4-1-0 record and earnings in excess of $18,000 in five lifetime starts.
After winning in 1:54.1 as the odds-on favourite in the first leg of the series, Laughandbehappy returned to victory thanks to a dominant 1:52.3 score in her second leg assignment for the tandem of driver John Campbell and trainer Tony Alagna. The Badlands Hanover miss, who was a 1:54.1 winner one week ago, drew off to a five-length triumph over Auroring Doll and Jawjackin to remain perfect in the series.
The mare is now 2-for-2 this season after going 12-for-14 in last year’s three-year-old campaign. She’s owned by Let It Ride Stables Inc of Delray Beach, FL and Robert Cooper Stables LLC of Boca Raton, FL.
The biggest upset in the second leg was turned in by Future Fire N, who clicked for a 9-1 score after enjoying a pocket trip for most of the mile. Mark Lewis mapped out the winning trip for the daughter of Courage Under Fire, who stopped the teletimer in a career-best clocking of 1:54.2. Race favourite Regal Wish saw her late rally fall a nose short, while Cherish Melody was a length back in third.
Kelvin Harrison conditions the five-time winner for owner Fred Brayford of Alliston, ON. The pacer has stashed away $38,640 to date.
The final division went to Balasun, who had no problem delivering on her 4-5 pari-mutuel promise. The daughter of The Panderosa chased down the leaders and drew clear to win in 1:54.4 for driver Brian Sears. Amarillo Sky was next best and third prize went to Pretty Lurleen.
Sherif Cunmulaj trains the 10-time winner for Baron Racing Stable of Horsham, PA. It was the mare’s first win of the season after going 8-for-21 last year. The $6,250 payday bumped her overall earnings to $61,139.
The top ten money earners from the preliminary legs will have the change to line up behind the starting gate for next Thursday’s $53,000 final of the White Ruffles Series.
To view Thursday’s results, click here.