Cammikey exploded to the front at the quarter and widened his advantage from there, rolling to an easy victory in Tuesday’s opening leg of the Visible Gold Pace at The Meadows.
Mattamerican took the other $17,500 division in the series for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers, which is named for Visible Gold, a fast-class performer from the Ron Burke stable.
Using Lasix for the first time, Cammikey, the 2-5 favourite, zipped to the lead for Brian Zendt after getting away third and jogged in 1:53.4, a lifetime mark. Jackson Brady was second, with Time Running Out third.
Bill Zendt trains Cammikey, a son of Somebeachsomewhere and 2004 Breeders Crown champion Always Cam, for owner/breeder Cam Land LLC.
Mattamerican was a 10-race maiden entering the Visible Gold, but he, too, showed improvement in his initial start on Lasix. He moved first over for Greg Grismore to collar the leader, Heart Felt, and held off the late thrust off Dealin Dan to triumph by a nose in 1:54.2. Heart Felt saved show.
Norm Parker conditions the son of Allamerican Native-Mattadorable for owner/breeder Bob Key.
In the $15,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life Handicap Trot, Tamarind powered to the front past the quarter and thwarted the Lightning Lane charge of Trustworthy Kid to defeat him by a neck in 1:54.2 for Aaron Merriman and owner/trainer Bill Bercury. The first-over Kirty Dream was third.
A six-year-old son of Angus Hall-Spicegirl Kosmos, Tamarind soared over $500,000 in career earnings.
(The Meadows)