NF Notebook, whose experience consisted of a single qualifier, made a sparkling debut Monday at The Meadows when he launched an uncovered bid that carried him to victory in the Ken Weaver Memorial Trot
. His time of 1:57.3 was the fastest this year by a three-year-old gelding on a five-eighths-mile track.
NF Notebook found himself 6-1/2 lengths behind in his career bow when Randy Tharps tipped him off the pylons and asked for trot. The son of Like A Prayer-NF Notable responded like a veteran, gobbling up ground and prevailing by 1-1/2 lengths over the closing Mapler. Performance Chip finished third. Kris Rickert trains NF Notebook for Dale Wareham.
Upfront Charlieboy and Americangeneration also captured $15,000 second-leg divisions in the series for three- and four-year-old colt and gelding trotters. The final is set for next week.
In the $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Trot, Kandor Hanover grabbed the lead with a quarter-pole move for Dave Palone and made it look easy from there, winning in 1:54.4. The pocket-sitting Hawaiianphotograph was second — giving trainer Bill Zendt an exacta sweep — while Photo Fantasy was a ground-saving third.
Online Stables, John Burns and Pat Huber own Kandor Hanover, a six-year-old daughter of Tagliabue-Katelyns Glory who now boasts $501,360 in career earnings.
Palone drove four winners and Dan Noble three on the 15-race card.
(The Meadows)