From the beginning, Southwind Admiral was in command.
The colt, trained and co-owned by Ron Coyne Jr., has handled every task presented to him and brings a six-race win streak to Saturday’s $268,180 Kindergarten Classic Series final for two-year-old male trotters at The Meadowlands.
For the season, Southwind Admiral has won seven of nine starts and earned $122,025.
“He didn’t mind doing his work from day one,” Coyne said. “He was a happy colt. He’s got an even temperament. There were never any issues; whatever we wanted to do was all right with him. We were happy with him and hopeful, but you never really know what you’ve got until you get (to the races).
“It’s worked out great. He’s been doing everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s made some money and he’s been a pleasure.”
Southwind Admiral, a son of Tactical Landing-Amber Ella, was purchased for $20,000 at last fall’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Amber Ella, by Chapter Seven, was a multiple winner on the New York Sire Stakes circuit and half-sister to stakes-winner Newcastle. His family also includes Dan Patch Award-winner Armbro Blush, the dam of two-time O’Brien Award-winner Armbro Leader.
The colt is owned by Ron Coyne Stables, Blair Corbeil, Richard Carney, and Farrell Carney.
“He had everything we were looking for,” Coyne said. “We liked his breeding, being a Chapter Seven on the mare’s side. It was the first year for Tactical Landing, so we didn’t know anything about that, but he was a good-looking colt and he moved well.
“There seemed to be enough pedigree on the page, so we took a shot. We just were lucky enough to get him.”
Southwind Admiral’s current winning streak includes the New Jersey Classic Series ‘B’ final, New Jersey Sire Stakes Standardbred Development Fund final, and a division of last week’s final preliminary round of the Kindergarten.
“His temperament is the best thing about him so far,” Coyne said. “Just the way he handles everything. Even when he faces a little adversity, when he gets parked out or things don’t go exactly how they should, it doesn’t seem to faze him.”
Southwind Admiral was eligible to last month’s Breeders Crown, but his connections decided to stay home rather than ship to Canada. If all goes well, the colt will finish his campaign in the Valley Victory Stakes later this month at The Big M.
“It just seemed like (the Breeders Crown) was going to be too much, so we passed on it and concentrated on these last couple races,” Coyne said.
On Saturday, Southwind Admiral starts from post 10 with Todd McCarthy in the sulky. He is the 4-1 third choice on the morning line behind 2-1 favourite Volume Eight and 3-1 International Man. Volume Eight, who starts from post seven with Andy McCarthy driving for Noel Daley, is this year’s fastest two-year-old male trotter with a mark of 1:52.1.
“It’s a good race,” Coyne said. “There are some really nice horses inside of him. Noel’s horse is a very nice colt. He’s got a real high turn of speed. We got a bad draw, so we just have to hope we can get our way into it somehow. Todd is going to have to figure that out. We’ll hope for the best.”
Racing begins at 6:20 p.m. (EST) Saturday. The card also features Kindergarten finals for two-year-old male and female pacers as well as two-year-old female trotters.
Jim Doherty Memorial winner Instagram Model is the 5-2 favourite in the race for filly trotters. She had a four-race win streak snapped with a fifth-place finish in the Breeders Crown on Oct. 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. She starts from post two with Scott Zeron driving for Annie Stoebe.
Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Bond, who is on a four-race win streak, is the 3-1 second choice from post 10 for trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt.
In the event for male pacers, Champlain Stakes winner and Metro Pace runner-up Save America is the 3-1 favourite. He will leave from post five with Yannick Gingras in the sulky for Nancy Takter.
The 6-5 choice in the race for filly pacers is Charleston, who won eliminations of both the She’s A Great Lady and Breeders Crown and finished second in both finals.
Prior to Saturday’s races, The Meadowlands will host a “Celebration of Life” at 5:30 p.m. in The Big M winner’s circle in memory of Dave Brower, the track’s longtime lead TV personality, morning-line oddsmaker and program analyst, who passed away Oct. 7 at the age of 53. Those unable to attend can watch live on rtn.tv (Racetrack Television Network).
For free TrackMaster programs for all Meadowlands cards, visit the track’s website. Click here for Saturday's program pages.
(USTA)