Pacesetters reigned supreme in Saturday’s divisions of the Four Leaf Clover, as The Meadowlands played host to a pair of $25,000 tilts.
In the opening split it was Rocknroll Band was parked to the quarter pole in :26.4 before touching down on the lead and steamrolling to a 1:50.1 decision. David Miller carved out middle splits of :55 and 1:23.2 with the Ken Rucker trainee, who held on to win by three-quarters of a length over Lookout Hanover. Third prize went to Frog Juice.
The four-year-old son of Mattnamaras Band, who is owned by Engel Stable LLC of Buffalo Grove, IL, notched his sixth win of the season from just seven kicks at the can. The 14-time winner has stashed away more than $215,000 in lifetime earnings.
Fresh off his 53-1 stunner in the $84,000 Aquarius Series, Southwestern Dream front-stepped his way to a 1:50.1 victory in the second division of the Four Leaf Clover for driver John Campbell and trainer Bruce Saunders.
Its That Time rolled the field to the quarter in :27.1 before turning over the top spot to Southwestern Dream, who was sent off at odds of 5-1 in tonight’s affair. He proceeded to lead the group through stanzas of :55.3 and 1:23.1 before sprinting home in :27 seconds to fend off runner-up Get Out Of Dodge and Its That Time, who settled for third.
The four-year-old son of Cambest won for the third time this season and for the 12th time in his career. Owned by Frank Bellino of Bronxville, NY, Southwestern Dream has banked more than $268,000 in his career.
Round two of the Four Leaf Clover is scheduled for next Saturday evening at The Meadowlands, with the $95,000 (est.) final set for Saturday, March 21.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.