Seduce A Stranger took a usually suicidal path — four-wide down the backside — but she made it work en route to a 15-1 upset victory in Wednesday’s $36,700 championship of the Daylon Miracle Trot for three-year-old fillies at The Meadows.
The unusual scenario was set up by a hotly contested first quarter when the 2-5 favourite, She Glides, was parked five-wide from post nine. She made the lead before the three-eighths, but was ripe for the picking. Seduce A Stranger followed the cover of Donato Babe and kicked by her around the final turn to score in 2:00.1 on a “good” track for Doug Snyder. Donato Babe held second, three and a quarter lengths back, while the weary favourite finished third.
Dane Snyder trains Seduce A Stranger, a daughter of Muscle Massive-Khifra Hanover, for Thomas King III and Danielle Snyder, who purchased her at auction after her freshman campaign.
Doug Snyder said he couldn't remember ever being that wide, that early, and still winning the race.
“I told the guys, ‘I knew I was a winner when I went four-wide,’” he said. “I might have lied to them.
“When they start going for good money, they like to race. My filly’s shown that she comes from off the pace, so I was happy getting away where we did. She’s still a green filly. We had a little luck and a little help.”
He noted that the addition of Lasix three starts back was a factor.
“In the final of the previous series, she came up pretty short at the wire,” he said. “I had a big hold of her at the three-quarter pole that day and felt like she’d go right on. So Lasix has definitely helped.”
Aaron Merriman and Tony Hall each piloted three winners on the 14-race card.
Friday’s program at The Meadows is highlighted by the inaugural $51,100 The Meadows Maturity for older distaff trotters, which has attracted two 2014 Dan Patch Award winners — Trotter of the Year Shake It Cerry and Mare Trotter of the Year Classic Martine. The card also features the $33,700 championship of the Do Me Honor Pace for sophomore fillies. First post is 6:55 p.m.
(The Meadows)