A number of older pacing stars looking to prepare for a return to the track -- and quite likely the early stakes season -- were notable performers on Friday morning during qualifiers at The Meadowlands.
Millionairess Krispy Apple made her 2017 debut for owners Bamond Racing LLC and Joe Davino of New Jersey. The now nine-year-old made every call a winning one with a gate-to-wire win in 1:55.2 with a :28.3 closing quarter.
Brett Miller handled the lines on Krispy Apple (Western Ideal - Apple Krisp) for trainer and co-owner Jeff Bamond, who most surely has the upcoming Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers Raceway on his radar. Krispy Apple has competed in the Matchmaker for the last five years, winning the consolation in 2012 while mustering a third-place finish in 2014.
Krispy Apple's stablemate Mach It So was also out for the first time this year, and his result was a winning one as well. Miller was once again at the controls as Mach It So cruised to a 1:54 mile, up more than five lengths on his nearest foe Bettor Memories (Kyle Husted).
Trained by Bamond for Bamond Racing, seven-year-old Mach It So (Mach Three - Beach Dancer) has banked more than $1.7 million in his career. This being his fourth campaign as an older competitor, a 2017 appearance in the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series would mark Mach It So's fourth straight entry, and he's won at least one leg each season.
The fastest qualifier of the six conducted was a 1:53 mile courtesy Bettors Edge. A longtime member of the Ron Burke stable, Bettors Edge was sold privately earlier this year is now owned by trainer Jennifer Lappe and Robert Santagata. Already a two-time winner this year, Bettors Edge tuned up with a gate-to-wire score for driver Brett Miller over former stablemate All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley). Doo Wop Hanover, returning to the races after a broken coffin bone and a bout of mental illness issues, finished third for driver John Campbell, individually timed in 1:55.1.
Bettors Edge (Bettors Delight - Spring Wind) boasts 34 lifetime wins and more than $1.928 million in career earnings. He looms a danger in the upcoming Levy Series, with his most recent victory coming over the Hilltop half-mile on January 28 -- a sharp 1:51.3 score.
On the trotting side, millionaire Meladys Monet also made a successful 2017 debut with a 1:57.2 mile for driver John Campbell, trainer Kevin Mc Dermott and owner Melady Enterprises LLC of Pompano Beach, Florida.
For the full results from Friday morning's qualifiers, click the following link: Friday Qualifiiers - The Meadowlands.