On Friday morning (November 7), Standardbred racing returned to the Meadowlands Racetrack in the form of a dozen qualifying dashes, and the session was flush with stars.
The races were contested on a ‘fast’ track under overcast skies. There was a fairly stiff breeze facing the horses in the homestretch. Temperatures were in the low 50s (Fahrenheit).
Race 1 featured freshman trotters. Performers from the Jimmy Takter stable finished first and second in the dash. The Takter-driven Ferragamo, who is a full brother to Guccio, recorded a head victory over Father Patrick’s little brother, Whom Shall I Fear, who was driven by Yannick Gingras. The mile was clocked in 1:58.4.
Valley Victory final winner Pinkman was absolutely vicious in his qualifier, as he recorded a gate-to-wire win in 1:55.1 for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Jimmy Takter. He closed with a :28.2 final quarter without being asked to finish the mile. He widened to a six and three-quarter-length decision over Livininthefastlane, a filly that finished resolutely under minimal urging from pilot Tim Tetrick.
Three-year-old fillies were next up on the docket, and New York Sire Stakes champion Market Rally showed that she’s not just a small track girl. She closed from well back in the final quarter to defeat Harley Momma (driven by Jim Raymer) and Miss Liv (Andy Miller) in 1:56.1. Matt Kakaley drove Market Rally for trainer Ron Burke.
Odds On Amethyst had a good morning, as the Jimmy Takter trainee led all the way for driver Yannick Gingras. He dominated a group of sophomore trotters with a 1:54.3 mile. The Muscle Hill gelding was loose on the lead and sprinted home with a 28-second final quarter. Opulent Yankee (Andy Miller) finished second and Journey (Dan Dube) finished third.
The session then paused for a training break. There was less of a breeze when the session resumed, and that was when Master Of Law got in a good prep with his trainer, Jimmy Takter, calling the shots in the racebike. The four-year-old sat in until the half, where he proceeded to move to the lead before the final turn. He held off Your So Vain in the 1:56 mile. Your So Vain, who was making his first public appearance since the John Cashman Jr. Memorial on Hambletonian Day, held on for second.
Creatine took to the track in Race 7 for driver Ron Pierce. He sat a loose pocket behind the front-stepping Sevruga through honest fractions. Creatine emerged from the pocket and went by willingly in 1:54.3. Sevruga finished second for driver Andy Miller and trainer Julie Miller. Wishing Stone (Matt Kakaley) finished third.
Pacers were next, and Hall Of Terror held off a charge from four rival freshmen in 1:53.2 for driver Andy Miller. Franzo, ASAP Hanover and Soto were all rallying in the stretch.
A quartet of two-year-old filly pacers took the track for the ninth race. Happy Becky and driver David Miller emerged victorious in 1:54.2 over the pacesetter, Zip Code Envy.
The Ron Burke-trained and Matt Kakaley-driven Sayitall BB cut the mile in the tenth race and held off the late bid of the pocket-sitting Sandbetweenurtoes in 1:53.
Bettor Believe It was a powerful winner in Race 11 for driver Andy Miller. He held off a determined bid by Parnu Hanover after having led all the way in the 1:52.4 mile.
The venerable Golden Receiver toured the oval in 1:52.4 to close out the session. He was racing out of the Julie Miller barn for the first time and Andy Miller returned to the sulky, where he’s been for several of the old horse’s greatest moments.
Live Standardbred racing will return to the Meadowlands next Friday (November 14) with the return of harness racing’s championship series, the Breeders Crown. The eliminations are scheduled for opening weekend and the $5.3 million finals will take place on November 21 and 22.
Mohawk Racetrack also hosted a qualifying session on Friday morning. To read more about that session, click here.
(With files from the Meadowlands)