After a successful three-year-old campaign in 2016 that saw him bank a little more than $360,000, Sutton did not race at all last year.
Foot problems derailed his four-year-old season, so trainer Julie Miller and staff worked patiently with the horse, opting to keep the son of Donato Hanover on the sidelines until April 6 of this year, a layoff of 16 months.
Sutton proved worth the wait, taking the $52,500 Shiaway St. Pat Series Final for trotters at the Meadowlands Friday night.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” said Miller after the victory. “He had a good week.”
And an even better night.
Sutton didn’t race like a horse with any problems, sitting fourth in the early going before moving aggressively to the lead at the half. The Andy Miller-driven five-year-old then drew clear of 5-1 fourth-choice Perseverance by 2-1/2 lengths at the head of the stretch on the way to an easy win by 1-3/4 lengths over a late-closing Deep Impact in 1:53.1. Perseverance held third.
“He had a solid mile last week (when he won leg two of the series),” said Julie Miller. “Right now, we have all of his issues under control.”
Sutton, who paid $4.20 as the even-money favourite, has now won nine of 29 lifetime starts and earned $475,263 for owners Andy Miller Stable and Jason and Douglas Allen.
Gold Medal Swan ($3.00) took the GSY Amateur Driving Club Spring Fling Series Final in 1:56.3, winning his third straight since trainer Mark Silva took over the driving chores.
(With files from The Meadowlands)