The very first races using the new racetrack configuration in front of the brand new Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment grandstand were front and centre during Thursday morning qualifiers at the East Rutherford, New Jersey oval.
A total of eight races were highlighted by several stars of the season that were using the races as a prep for next week’s official opening of the Meadowlands’ fantastic new facility.
The first qualifier was won by the accomplished older trotter Blacktuxwhitesocks, who was driven by his trainer, Trond Smedshammer, to an off-the-pace, closing win in 1:57 over his stablemate, Bluff. The career winner of nearly $900,000 has been owned throughout his career by Wanda Polisseni’s Purple Haze Stable.
Trond came right back to win the second race with his champion trotter Arch Madness in a tightener for the upcoming last leg of the TVG Series, which will take place at the Meadowlands on November 23 (opening day). The $500,000 final of the TVG Series will take place on November 30. Arch Madness trotted along on a happy lead this morning through comfortable fractions. He utilized a :56 back half and a :27.3 final quarter in his 1:54 victory. Arch Madness is the pride of owners Marc Goldberg and Barry Goldstein’s Willow Pond LLC.
Kindergarten Trotting Classic final winner Southwind Spirit knocked the dust off with a 1:57.4 win, home in :28.2 for regular driver Yannick Gingras. He is one of the leading eligibles for the $430,000 (Est.) Valley Victory for the Burke Stable, who owns him in partnership with Weaver & Bruscemi, LLC and Stable 45.
Pacers came up in Race 4, with a couple of nice two-year-old colts sharpening up for the $500,000 (Est.) Governor’s Cup. Arthur Blue Chip (driven by Dave Miller) and Somestarsomewhere (Yannick Gingras) went right to the wire together in 1:53.3.
Miller had ‘Arthur’ on the lead through conservative numbers and Yannick wrestled his mount into the four hole before moving first over around the final bend. Both were willing through the sprint home.
Dr. Ian Moore trains Arthur Blue Chip, owned in partnership with RG McGroup and Serge Savard. Somestreetsomewhere is conditioned by Ron Burke for his own interests with Weaver & Bruscemi, M. Yanek and L Karr.
Freshman pacing fillies were next, Gingras and Miller battled to the wire again with JK Molly (Gingras/Burke for 3 Brother Stable) and Delightful Dragon (Miller for Noel Daley and the Adam Victor & Son Stable) in 1:55. Those two debutantes are among the top candidates for the $400,000 (Est.) Three Diamonds.
Western Vintage and JK Endofanera paced to the wire together in 1:54.2 in a tight finish between two more Governors Cup eligibles. Brian Sears had JK Endofanera forwardly placed throughout for Ron Burke, who trains the Art Major colt for the 3 Brothers Stables. Western Vintage was reserved off the pace and finished strong for Gingras. Perry Soderberg now has a partner in the good Western Ideal colt in Marvin Katz. Nancy Johansson is the trainer.
The next qualifying session will be on Monday evening with a scheduled first-race post time of 6:00 p.m. The box for the qualifying session will close at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow (Friday). A preview of the new grandstand will be made available to horsemen with the evening qualifiers of Thursday, November 23, again at 6:00 p.m.
(Meadowlands)