Shellie De Vie was the recipient of a superb drive by Vinny Ginsburg, and the result was an easy 3-1/4 length score in the $25,000 featured conditioned pace for fillies and mares at the Meadowlands Friday night.
The four-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Beach Girl De Vie was put on the point around the first turn and made the quarter in :27.3. Oceania, the 4-5 favourite, was sitting sixth at this stage before working her way into the outer flow third-over as Shellie De Vie hit the half in :55.3.
You Should Be Here came calling first-over to pressure the leader, but Shellie De Vie kept on rolling to three-quarters in 1:23.1 after a middle-half rating of :55.3 by Ginsburg with a strong winds at the horses’ backs. Oceania was now three-wide with cover as the field came to the top of the stretch.
Through the final three-sixteenths of a mile, Shellie De Vie continued to move well while Oceania could provide no punch after tipping off cover. Trained by Paul Fusco, Shellie De Vie completed the mile in 1:52. Annabeth came from way back to grab second while Renaissance Lady K finished third. Oceania was seventh in the nine-horse field.
As the second choice in the wagering, Shellie De Vie, who’s now won 11-of-56 lifetime with earnings of $129,304 for owner Robert Arzano, paid $11.80 to win.
Saturday night, the Meadowlands is hosting its biggest night of the autumn meeting, Fall Final Four/TVG Finals Night, with purses totalling just over $2.8 million.
A galaxy of harness racing stars will be on the card, including Atlanta, Hannelore Hanover, Papi Rob Hanover, Amigo Volo, Sister Sledge, Senorita Rita, American History, Mcwicked, Bettor’s Wish, Lyons Sentinel, Six Pack, Gimpanzee, Manchego, Warrawee Ubeaut, Caviart Ally, and last but not least, the great Shartin N, who will look to claim the Horse of the Year trophy should she emerge victorious.
The star-studded program gets off to an earlier-than-usual start, with the first race going off at 7 p.m.
(Meadowlands)