Faced with a serious challenge from a new shooter, Sir Caviar reached down for more in the stretch and won his fourth straight in Monday’s $22,500 Preferred Handicap
Trot at the Meadows.
Although Sir Caviar had dominated most of Monday’s competitors throughout the year, the field included the upstart Jessesjo, who advanced to the Preferred after three consecutive wins in conditioned events. Moreover, the challenger got a comfortable pocket trip behind Sir Caviar on a sloppy, tiring racing surface.
But when Jessesjo tipped off the cones for the drive, Sir Caviar responded for Brian Zendt by kicking in another gear and scoring in 1:54.2 over Jessesjo. The first-over Springboard was third.
Leslie Zendt trains Sir Caviar, a five-year-old SJs Caviar-Sierra Flower K gelding who has recorded 23 wins over the past two seasons, and owns with Bill Zendt.
In the companion feature, the $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Trot, Caviar Forthe Lady made it look easy once more, roaring to the front from post eight and scoring unchallenged for Charlie Norris in 1:57.2. Victory Is Coming rallied from last for second, with Spectacular Bay third.
Marty Wollam trains Caviar Forthe Lady, a five-year-old daughter of SJs Caviar-Croupier Lady who triumphed for the third time in her last four starts and now boasts $548,406 in lifetime earnings, for Acadia Farms.
The victory capped a big day for Norris, who earlier on the card notched career win 2,000. Dave Palone drove five winners — four for trainer Ron Burke — on the 14-race program while Aaron Merriman fashioned a triple.
(The Meadows)