The New Jersey Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacers headlined Saturday’s card at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
The damp cool evening didn’t slow them down at all, as the Western Ideal filly Ms Caila J Fra reduced her record to 1:50.2 upsetting 1-2 favourite Jerseylicious in the $43,000 filly pace. Simon Allard secured the pocket early and followed the top choice through honest fractions then sent his charge through on the inside for the nose victory.
The Fra Stable LLC bred and owns Ms Caila J Fra, who was unraced at two and flashed promise earlier this spring, but has really come to hand lately for trainer Steve Elliott.
The colts split into a pair of divisions and Johny Rock scored a front running 1:50.4 win in the $24,000 first one.
Andy Miller released longshot Rockaholic, removed back to the lead and rated comfortable fractions while the public choice, Emeritus Maximus, found himself confined to a position behind the fading Rockaholic until too late and could not chase down the winner once free.
Johny Rock is trained out of the Julie Miller barn for partnership of William Wiswell, Jean Goehlen and Eugene Schick. He is eligible to the 2013 Pepsi North America Cup and has been assessed at odds of 40-1 in Trot Magazine's Spring Book.
Real Rocker pulled a real shocker in the second colt division, his task made far easier when heavy favourite Wake Up Peter broke before the start and lost all chance. Ima Giggity Fool and Rock Star took turns on the lead with the eventual winner grinding up first over for Corey Callahan. Sandwiched by Ima Giggity Fool and Rocks N Bonds in a photo, Real Rocker prevailed by a nose in 1:52.
Real Rocker is racing from the Trish Foulk barn for his New Jersey engagements. She is babysitting the gelding for Steve Carter and his partners, Peggy Carter, Robert Reid and Chuck Grubbs, all Ohio residents.
The top performers from this and last week’s legs will return next Saturday for the $150,000 final offered to each of the four sophomore divisions.
Despite cold, damp and windy conditions, The Meadowlands still managed to show a substantial increase in its betting handle. The Saturday night handle marked an increase of 32 per cent from the same Saturday in 2012.
Racing returns on Friday with first race post time at 7:15 p.m. June gets off to a flying start with next Saturday’s card including the four New Jersey Sire Stakes Finals, The Golden Girls and the next leg of the TVG FFA Pacing Championship Series.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Meadowlands Racetrack.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)