The second round of the Horse & Groom Series shared the spotlight with the Night Style Series at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Thursday evening, with each event featuring a pair of divisions
.
Mystery Photo made a break in the opening leg of the Horse & Groom Series and finished up the track as a result, but he redeemed himself on Thursday with a 1:54 score in his $20,000 division. Trained by Julie Miller and driven by Andy Miller, the four-year-old son of S Js Photo-Enchanted Victory turned a ground-saving trip into a narrow victory over Affirmed Action and Arriba Amigo.
David Prushnok, John Prushnok, Erv Miller and William Gregg share ownership on the five-time winner who improved his 2011 record to 2-0-0 from just three trips postward. The $10,000 payday lifted the trotter’s lifetime earnings to $184,801.
Southwind Vavoom survived a first-over journey to take the second division of the Horse & Groom Series in a time of 1:54.3 for driver Bob McClure and trainer Ross Croghan. After finishing third in the opening leg of the series, the five-year-old son of Self Possessed-Vie Agra Works bounced back to win over race favourite, Dont Know Chip, and Monsignor Flan. The win gave 20-year-old Ontario driver Bob McClure his first Meadowlands and United States driving win.
The victory improved the gelding’s 2011 record to 10-1-1 in 14 starts, and it pushed his overall bankroll to $147,900. He is owned by John McClure of Georgetown, ON.
A single division of the Night Styles Series was completed last Thursday at the Meadowlands Racetrack before the remainder of the card was canceled. The two divisions which failed to go postward last Thursday were raced this evening, and the top earners from the first round divisions on March 10 and 17 will meet in next Thursday’s final.
Some Girls Do, the winner of this year’s Tender Loving Care Series, posted a 1:52.1 tally in the opening division as the even-money favourite for driver Brian Sears and trainer Ron Burke. The three-year-old daughter of American Ideal-Village Green defeated Only The World and Sagebrush Susie while improving her 2011 record to 5-0-0 in six assignments.
She has banked $52,690 to date for the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Baldachino and Earl Smith.
Fax Me led from start to finish en route to winning the second division for driver Tim Tetrick and trainer James Eaton. Tetrick rolled the four-year-old Cape Crusader-Falcon Crest miss through panels of :28, :56.2 and 1:24.2 before using a :28.2 final frame to seal the deal in 1:52.4. Elegant Girl was second and third prize went to Sammy L.
The homebred improved her 2011 record to 5-1-1 in eight tries for the partnership of Brett Wilfong of Donovan and Lynn Wilfong of Kentland, IN. The 10-time winner pushed her lifetime earnings to $50,722 with the win.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Meadowlands Racetrack.