The richest Canadian-sired trotter in history was among the harness racing stars out and about in qualifying action Saturday morning.
Triple millionaire Arch Madness finished a half length behind Temple Of Doom in his nine-year-old qualifying debut at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The son of Balanced Image was hung out three-wide early on from post four, but rolled up to take over command from the Julie Miller-trained Temple Of Doom past the :28.4 first quarter for trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer. The 2012 Elitlopp runner-up carved out middle splits of :58.3 and 1:28.2 before being collared by the pocket-sitter in a 1:55.4 mile. Wishing Stone came on for third two and three-quarter lengths behind.
Last year's Hambletonian runner-up Guccio won the first qualifier of his aged campaign at the Big M for trainer-driver Jimmy Takter. The four-year-old son of Yankee Glide followed Tigers Too Good through fractions of :29.1, :59.2 and 1:29.1 and then sprinted by to win in 1:57.1. Unefoisdansmavie and Beatgoeson Hanover finished over one length behind in second and third.
Hugadragon, a sophomore stakes champion who only made a handful of starts as a four-year-old, turned in his second qualifying effort of the season at Meadowlands. The five-year-old Dragon Again gelding cruised through panels of :26.4, :56.3, and 1:25.4 en route to a 1:53.3 victory for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke. Malicious and I Like Dreamin rounded out the top three finishers.
Elsewhere at Pompano Park, a trio of stars from the Gregg McNair stable won their second qualifying assignments. Last year's Milton Stakes runner-up Swinging Beauty advanced first over from fourth and was over nine lengths the best in a 1:55.3 mile. OK Commander rallied three-wide to win his qualifier in 1:54.4. Millionaire pacer Aracache Hanover blasted to command from the outside post and rolled on to a nine and three-quarter length 1:52.3 triumph. All three were driven by Stuart Sowerby.
To view Meadowlands' qualifying results, click here.