Many of the sport’s brightest, older stars were in action at Dover Downs on Monday competing in the first leg of The Classic Series, which features three preliminary legs and a $300,000 (est.) final
for each of the four categories.
Here’s a complete recap of what transpired in each of today’s divisions:
$85,000 Classic Distaff
Martha Maxine rebounded from an eighth-place finish in the final of the Overbid Series at the Meadowlands to take the lone division of the Classic Distaff in a time of 1:51 for the Miller brothers - driver Andy and trainer Erv.
The five-year-old Park Place miss sliced out panels of :26.3, :56 and 1:23.3 before storming home in :27.2 for the 1:51 decision. It was more than three lengths back to runner-up Darlins Delight, who was sent off as the 3-5 favourite. Southwind Tempo rounded out the top three in the five-mare affair.
It was the fourth win of the season and the 19th lifetime tally for Martha Maxine, who has banked $350,930 for partners Tony Alagna, Brittany Farms and the Erv Miller Stable Inc.
$85,000 Trotting Classic
Swan Image took advantage of a late break by Enough Talk, who was sent off as the 1-5 favourite, to win the lone division of the Trotting Classic in a time of 1:54.4 for the duo of trainer Ross Croghan and driver David Miller.
It was the second win of the season for the six-year-old son of Balanced Image, who sprung off cover and wound up being a neck better than runner-up Four Starz Speed. Green Day, who put the first-over pressure on Enough Talk, rounded out the top three.
Swan Image, who was sent off at 7-1 in the six-horse tilt, is owned by Larry Roman of Mt. Vernon, New York. The trotter has stashed away lifetime earnings totaling $363,052.
$85,000 Pacing Classic
Frog Juice pulled off a 12-1 upset in the Pacing Classic for the tandem of trainer George Teague, Jr. and driver Jim Morand. The four-year-old son of Badlands Hanover kicked off cover to score the 1:50.1 decision over Winbak Speed, who was sent off as the 6-5 favourite, and Western Shore.
It was the second win of the season and the 13th lifetime score for the homebred gelding, who races for owners Gary & Barbara Iles of Harrington, Delaware. The lion’s share of the purse bumped the pacer’s overall cash stash to $210,544.
Classic Oaks - $60,000 1st div.
Falls For You was the only favourite to prevail in the first leg of the Classic Series. The five-year-old daughter of Yankee Glide sped through panels of :27.2, :57 and 1:25.3 before kicking home in :29.3 to win in a time of 1:55.1 for driver Brian Sears. Sent off as the 3-5 favourite, the Trond Smedshammer trainee won by more than three lengths over Stage Show and Afternoon Dreams.
It was the first win of the season and the 15th lifetime score for Falls For You, who is owned by Fair Winds Farm Inc., Ted Gewertz and Willow Pond LLC. The win lifted her lifetime earnings to $1,195,481.
Classic Oaks - $60,000 2nd div.
Summertime Yankee pulled off the biggest upset in the first leg of the Classic Series when she erupted for a 17-1 shocker in a time of 1:55.1 for trainer Jim Raymer and driver George Brennan. The final strides decision came over Spice Queen, who set the pace, came up a nose short. Buck I St Pat, who was sent off as the 1-5 choice rallied to finish third.
The five-year-old S Js Photo miss, who is now 1-for-9 this season, races for the New Holland, PA partnership of Tyler Raymer and Trillium Racing Stable. The $30,000 payday bumped the mare’s bankroll to $175,635.
The second leg of The Classic Series will be split into a two-day event at the Meadowlands. The Trotting Classic and Classic Oaks are scheduled for Friday, May 1 with the Pacing Classic and Classic Distaff set for Saturday, May 2.
Mohawk Racetrack will host the third leg on Saturday June 6 followed by the $300,000 finals on Saturday, June 13.
Unlike previous years, all of The Classic Series events in 2009 will be contested at the distance of one mile.