Flying Muscles and Chef Lee, the 1-9 and 1-5 favourites, respectively, justified bettors’ faith in them Monday at The Meadows, as each captured a $17,500 opening-leg division of the Tamarind Trot.
The series for three-year-old colts and geldings honours Tamarind, one of the track’s top active trotters, who is owned and trained by Bill Bercury.
Flying Muscles acquitted himself well in the recent Ken Weaver Memorial Trot for three- and four-year-olds, finishing second in the championship. Without older competitors to face, he was even more impressive, claiming the lead for Dave Palone past the quarter and prevailing geared down in 1:58.4. Early leader Only The Brave was two lengths back in second, with Knucklebiter third.
Todd Rooney trains the Muscle Massive-Maker A Laker gelding and owns with David Lee and Eldon Thompson.
Chef Lee, who broke his maiden last time out in his 11th try, trotted like a polished pro for Mike Wilder, moving to the front at the quarter pole and scoring in 2:00.1, 4 lengths better than Bettin Bruce. Stage Hand K completed the ticket.
Norm Parker owns and trains the Cantab Hall-Summer Savory gelding.
In the $20,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot, Daylon Miracle did what she does best — show up the boys. The lone mare in the field triumphed on the front end for Aaron Merriman and owner/trainer Bercury in 1:54.1. The pocket-sitting Tall Cotton saved place, two lengths in arrears, while Big And Little earned show.
Daylon Miracle, a six-year-old daughter of Pegasus Spur-Daylon Marvel who now boasts $448,819 in career earnings, has faced colts, stallions and geldings in five of her last six outings, collecting three wins and two thirds.
Merriman piloted five winners on the 14-race card while Palone and Wilder each enjoyed a triple.
(The Meadows)