Pressured most of the mile while on the lead, Ms Mullen drew away from the field into the final turn and scored decisively in Wednesday’s opening leg of the Mary Wohlmuth Memorial Trot. Pennys N Dimes upset at 15-1 in the other division of the series for three and four-year-old fillies and mares.
The event honours the memory of the late Mary Wohlmuth, longtime manager of the 2:00 Club, the erstwhile gathering spot for horsemen and horsewomen.
Ms Mullen was unplaced in her five previous career starts and hadn’t raced since August 22. But she was more than willing when Tony Hall sent her to the front, and she gamely thwarted the prolonged challenge of Blameitonthealcohl to prevail by two lengths in 1:59.3. Eva Ka Jean was third-placed-second while Cantabmymoney finished second but was placed back to third for a late break.
Dirk Simpson trains and leases Ms Mullen, a three-year-old daughter of Muscle Massive-Kentucky Bluebird.
In the $20,000 Preferred Trot, Cantab Lindy sat patiently behind the duelling leaders, then shot the Lightning Lane to pull off the 18-1 upset in 1:55.4 for Mike Wilder and owner/trainer Brent Davis. Tricky Nick was second, half a length back, while Trustworthy Kid rallied for show. The nine-year-old Cantab Hall-Lindy N Caviar gelding extended his career bankroll to $368,057.
Dave Palone and Wilder each collected three wins on the 13-race card.
(The Meadows)