Off the board in both preliminary legs, Upfront Charlieboy saved his best for last, brushing wide through the lane to pull off a 16-1 shocker in Tuesday’s $32,700 championship of the Winter Claiming Series for $20,000 claiming trotters at The Meadows.
Skyway Cruiser scored narrowly in the $21,250 final of the Winter Claiming Series for $10,000 claiming trotters.
A confirmed closer, Upfront Charlieboy’s late kick in the preliminary legs netted him only a fourth and a seventh. In the championship, he was still 3-1/2 lengths behind at the top of the stretch when he found another gear for Dan Rawlings. The eight-year-old Cantab Hall-Southern Puff gelding nailed Pembroke Castaway at the wire and downed him by half a length in 1:56. Pittstop Kip earned show.
Bill Fahy trains Upfront Charlieboy, who extended his career bankroll to $241,473 for Moira Fahy.
Skyway Cruiser, who won the only preliminary division in which he competed, challenged the leadet, Mateo M, at the half. The two dueled the rest of the way, with Skyway Cruiser a nose ahead at the wire in 1:56.2. Crazy Eyes finished third.
Mike Wilder piloted Skway Cruiser, a nine-year-old Keep It A Secret-Chartley gelding who now boasts $434,866 in lifetime earnings, for trainer Jimmy Salerno and owner Harry Travis, Jr.
In the $22,500 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot, Cowgirl Hall blazed the fastest trotting mile of the year at The Meadows when she rolled to a front end victory for Dave Palone in 1:52.4. The pocket-sitting Boos Party Girl was second, three lengths back, while Homepage rallied for show.
Ron Burke conditions Cowgirl Hall, a seven-year-old daughter of Cash Hall-Centerfold Hall who vaulted over $800,000 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Jack Piatt III and Michael Rosenthal.
Aaron Merriman collected four wins on the 15-race card.
(The Meadows)