Sarcastic Man had the last laugh, winning the $38,460 elimination race for the Dexter Cup for three-year-olds trotters, the ninth race on Saturday, April 26 at Freehold Raceway.
Even-money favourite Well Built, driven by John Campbell, was the only one of the nine starters to fail to advance to the $115,370 Dexter Cup Final on May 3. The Muscle Hill colt broke stride before the quarter pole, rallied to finish seventh across the wire, but was placed ninth for interfering with Dave Briggs and Donatos Wish, who were placed ahead of him.
Sarcastic Man [$26.40, $8.60, $5.80], driven by Ron Pierce and trained by Gail Wrubrel, held on for a length and a quarter victory in 1:59.2, a career-best clocking. The son of Tom Ridge, bred and owned by Robert Key of Leechburg, Pennsylvania, picked up his third win of both the year and his 29-race career for a total bankroll of $104,011.
King City [$16.80, $8.60], by Muscle Hill, won the photo for second over Sumatra [$2.80], a Muscles Yankee colt.
In addition to Sarcastic Man, King City and Sumatra, the Dexter Cup finalists will be Consumer Rate, Sheer Action, Derby, Dave Briggs and Donatos Wish.
(SBOANJ)