Top ranked North America Cup eligible Odds On Equuleus returned for another impressive qualifying mile on Saturday at Meadowlands Racetrack while last year's Hambletonian and Canadian Trotting Classic champion Market Share made his seasonal debut during the morning session.
Odd On Equuleus, who is ranked second at odds of 9-2 in Trot Magazine's Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book, won his third straight qualifying mile, going wire-to-wire in 1:50.3 with John Campbell in the sulky for trainer Robin Schadt and Odds On Racing. The Art Major-Latte Lady colt left from post three and cruised through fractions of :28, :55.3 and 1:23.4 before sprinting his final quarter in :26.4 to win by two and a half lengths. Bet The Moon and Sunfire Blue Chip finished second and third. Cup eligible Dovuto Hanover, ranked ninth at odds of 20-1 in the Spring Book, finished fourth in his second qualifier.
Linda Toscano-trained stars Market Share, Heston Blue Chip and Bettors Edge were also qualifying winners earlier in the morning.
Market Share, the U.S. Three-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year in 2012, won his four-year-old debut in 1:54.4 with Tim Tetrick at the lines. The double millionaire sat fifth for most of the mile before unleashing a :27.2 final frame to prevail by a neck over the pocket-sitting five-year-old Swan In A Million. Southwind Cornell finished four and a half lengths behind in third after carving out fractions of :28.4, 56.4 and 1:26.
Heston Blue Chip, the U.S. Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year, was a 1:51 winner in his second qualifier for Tetrick and Toscano. The Breeders Crown champion led the way through fractions of :28.3, :56.4 and 1:24.2 and held off the pocket-pulling Pet Rock, fresh off two winning qualifiers at Scioto Downs. Heston Blue Chip prevailed by a head with his final quarter clocked in :26.3. All Speed Hanover finished three lengths behind in third.
Also making his second qualifying start of the season, four-year-old Bettors Edge romped to a four and a half length victory in 1:51.4. He carved out panels of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:25.1 before drawing away with a :26.3 final frame. Former Western Canada Pacing Derby champion Silver Eagle followed in second and Bettorwithbourbon was third.
Toscano's New York Sires Stakes champion Doctor Butch led his qualifier for most of the mile before being headed by the unraced sophomore pacing colt Word Power in 1:51.4. David Miller drove the winning Western Ideal colt for trainer Larry Remmen and Ontario owner Brad Grant.
In other action, Bluegrass Series champion Creatine, trained by Bobby Stewart, held off Peter Haughton winner Aperfectyankee and Dontyouforgetit, last year's Pennsylvania Sires Stakes champion, to win in 1:54.3 with Lachance in the sulky. The top three were separated by just a neck.
Kentuckiana Stakes winner Handover Belle, driven by Michel Lachance for trainer Tony Alagna, nosed out Proclaiming April to score in her second sophomore qualifier in 1:55.3.
Blue Chip Matchmaker Series competitor Bettor B Lucky converted from the pocket to win her qualifier in 1:53.3 by a nose over pacesetter Kiss Dont Bite for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke.
To view Saturday's complete qualifying results, click on the following link: Saturday Results (Qualifiers) - Meadowlands Racetrack.