The calendar indicates that spring begins on March 20, but snowy conditions led to an “Inquiry” of that seasonal change at The Meadowlands on Friday night. The races began in the midst of what would eventually measure out to several inches of powder.
The $20,000 second leg of the Shiaway St Pat Trotting Series drew just 11 entries resulting in a single division that pit the top pair of winter series trotters, JL Cruze and Opulent Yankee, against one and other for seventh time this season.
JL Cruze held a four to two edge (including both finals) going in and romped to a 1:54 win here providing John Campbell with his third of the evening. Opulent Yankee was again second-best and Sheer Flex third as they head into next week's $59,800 final.
Eric Ell trains the winner for Kenny Wood, Steve Iaquinta and Bill Dittmar.
The $27,500 Open was again won by this winter's trotting star Meladys Monet in another long uncovered grind for Campbell in 1:54.1.
Away sixth and last from his outside post, Meladys Monet sat until the field neared the half with Winds Of The North enjoying an uncontested lead in :56.4. Campbell eased the 1-5 favourite to the outside slowly working his way up to the lead and by the 1:26.1 three-quarters had gained even terms. Meladys Monet went on by willingly and was edging clear to a length margin as they neared the wire. Winds Of The North held well for the place.
Kevin McDermott trains the winner for Melady Enterprises LLC of Pompano Beach, Florida. It was disclosed by Swedish representatives last week that Meladys Monet has been extended an invitation to compete in the 2015 Elitlopp at Solvalla Racetrack on Sunday, May 31.
The GSY Amateur Series began with two $8,000 divisions and Peter Kleinhans christened the competition by driving Majestic Ginger, a mare he recently purchased in partnership with Colleen Cash, to a win with the greatest of ease. Kleinhans took Majestic Ginger back and handled her cautiously as the past performance lines indicated the need for patience. Once she felt set and solid, Kleinhans simply fed her racetrack as wide as the four or five path into the stretch as she went by the field under her own power in 1:58.2.
When interviewed post-race by Justin Horowitz, a jubilant Kleinhans remarked, “She got great power. I’m so pleased for her to get a good flat mile in. She’s got a history of making breaks when clear, so I has concern until she crossed the wire.
“I’m thrilled with the possibility to race in the series. It’s a great way to get new people interested in racing. It brought me back to the track, as I bought this horse expressly to campaign in the series.”
John McDermott Jr. trains the winner.
Division two of the GSY came in race 12 and Bob Hechkoff came home a winner with Pounce Hanover in 1:57.3 over Current Crisis and Bob Krivelin. Virgil Morgan trains for Hechkoff's RBH Ventures.
Racing resumes tomorrow night at 7:15 p.m.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)