Real Joke, Majestic Jackpot and Woodstock Hanover crushed the competition in round two of the Clyde Hirt Series Friday night at Meadowlands Racetrack, paving the way for a thrilling showdown in next week's $90,000 final
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Real Joke gunned to the lead at the half and cruised off to a six-length victory in the first of the evening's $18,000 Hirt divisions. Driven by Andy Miller, Real Joke extended his streak to three wins with a career-best 1:51 clocking. The overwhelming 1-9 betting choice paid $2.20 to win. Allamerican Pewter (Ron Pierce) and Henry Gram (Tim Tetrick) picked up the pieces.
A four-year-old son of Real Desire, Real Joke is perfect since entering Julie Miller's barn this season. Brian Gordon, Toby Rekoon and Stewart Goldberg of New Jersey share ownership of the gelding.
Majestic Jackpot was equally dominant in the second Hirt division.
Majestic Jackpot and driver Brian Sears tipped out to take command from fellow first leg winner Big Bad Bosley (George Brennan) on the final turn and roared home in :26.3 for a final 1:51.4 clocking. Bet The Town (Ray Schnittker) skimmed the pylons to finish two lengths behind, while Star Party (Ron Pierce) finished third. Majestic Jackpot paid $3.40.
The blue-blooded son of Real Artist-Caesars Jackpot was a $17,000 purchase by trainer Brian Burton and his father, Martin, of Cambridge, MD. Majestic Jackpot is now two-for-two since Burton adjusted his equipment.
"When he got beat by Real Joke [on January 2], Brian [Sears] said he had trouble steering him out of the turns," Burton said. "He thought there was a problem with his feet, so I worked on everything. Plus, he was pretty hard to control in the hole, so Brian also recommended an open bridle."
Woodstock Hanover survived a first-over journey to repeat in the series as well for driver George Brennan and trainer Aaron Lambert. The four-year-old son of Bettor's Delight won his division by four lengths in 1:52. Stand By Cam (Brian Sears) and Going Native (David Miller) came in second and third. Woodstock Hanover paid $4.80.
The winner of two races in three outings this year is owned by Kenneth Tucci and Glenn Ellis of New Jersey.
Magicmaker Hanover (1:52.4) also won his Clyde Hirt division.
Real Image was also a repeat offender in the Complex Series for pacers five years old and under. The four-year-old Real Desire gelding converted a pocket trip into a 1:52 victory equaling his lifetime mark in one of three $20,000 second leg divisions. Real Image prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths over favourite Tidewater Tomahawk (Yannick Gingras) and Theorys Hero (Richard Silverman). Real Image paid $9.00 to win.
Brian Sears did the driving for trainer Josh Green and owners Steven Carter, Robert Reid and Chuck Grubbs of Ohio. The victory was Real Image’s second in three starts this year.
The other Complex Series divisions went to Pancinello (1:52.1) and Thanks For Stoppin (1:52.3).
In other action, Likeabatoutahell and Brian Sears captured Friday's $32,000 Invitational Trot in 1:53.3. Making his first start of the season, the homebred seven-year-old son of SJs Caviar prevailed by 1-1/2 lengths over Looking Hanover (Yannick Gingras) and Pembroke Prayer (Tim Tetrick) for owner Michael Andrew of Gorham, ME.
The $90,000 Clyde Hirt for conditioned pacers is one of five series finals to be contested next week at Meadowlands Racetrack. It shares the spotlight with the $117,000 Presidential and $90,000 Complex on Saturday, January 23. The stakes action kicks off with the $79,000 Super Bowl Final for trotters on Wednesday, January 20 and $53,000 White Ruffles for pacing mares on Thursday, January 21.
To view Friday's results, click here.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)