Somwherovrarainbow made her five-year-old debut a winning one as she triumphed in the $30,000 Free-For-All Handicap at The Meadowlands on Friday night.
Sent off as the 3-5 favourite, Somwhereovrarainbow was sent hard off the gate by Dave Miller and cleared the lead heading toward the opening quarter without any urging. Essentially, that was the end of the race as the world champion and millionaire would coast through fractions of :27, :55.2 and 1:23.1 before turning for home with an ever-expanding lead. Breeders Crown winner Monkey On My Wheel made a brief bid, but tired first over. Southwind Serenity offered minimal response off cover. The only horse to make any noise in the stretch was For The Ladies N, who rallied from last to finish second with Icommandmyspirit getting up to be third. The final clocking was 1:50.4.
For Somwherovrarainbow, the win marked the 20th time the magnificent mare has made the trip to the winner's circle from 45 starts, sending her earnings past $1.34 million.
Somwhereovrarainbow is trained by Joe Holloway for owners Theodore Gewertz and Diamond Creek Racing.
Hill I Am got back to his winning ways in the fifth race, a $17,050 non-winners of three trot. Sent off as the 9-2 third choice in the wagering, Hill I Am was aggressively moved to the lead heading to the half-mile pole and proceeded to lead the charge around the far turn. Candy Stash made a first over move after the leader, but Corey Callahan could be seen looking over his right shoulder as the field approached the top of the stretch, seemingly looking around for competition. As the field straightened up, Callahan called to his four-year-old trotter and the response was instant as Hill I Am powered away to win impressively by nearly five lengths in 2:10.2 for the 1-1/8th miles.
Hill I Am was an undefeated New Jersey Sire Stakes champion as a two-year-old for trainer Dennis Laterza and owner/breeder Roy Dobbins, who were the winning connections tonight.
Tim Tetrick was the driving star on the night, winning four races.
The fifth race Jackpot Super Hi-5 was hit tonight and returned $47,172.50 for 20-cents. That pool will start fresh on Saturday night. The last race Jackpot Super Hi-5 went unclaimed and will feature a carryover into the 13th race on Saturday of $61,470.
The win by Hill I Am sparked a Pick 5 carryover of $22,616 into the Saturday card at The Meadowlands. Post time and the start of the Pick 5, which begins in the first race, is 7:15 p.m.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)