Smokinmombo dominated a short field in Saturday’s $46,500 Meadows Maturity for trotting mares four and up, retaking the lead before the quarter and cruising to victory in 1:54.
Harley Momma pocketed the 2-5 favourite from the gate, but Smokinmombo and Aaron Merriman would have none of the two-hole.
“I definitely wanted to race her like she was the best,” Merriman said. “I was pretty confident when we got to the front.”
The task for Smokinmombo became easier when Meadowbranch Wendy, who entered the Meadows Maturity off three straight victories in overnights, broke stride down the backside. That left only three rivals to chase Smokinmombo, and none could get close. The four-year-old daughter of Explosive Matter-Horizontal Mombo defeated Harley Momma by a length while the first-up Sky Hanover rallied for show.
“I really think she’s a smaller track horse,” Merriman said. “On a half-mile or five-eighths-mile track, she’ll really excel. I’m interested to see how she races on a bigger track this year. I’d like to be able to follow some good horses with her and give her another shot at it.”
Chris Beaver trains Smokinmombo, who extended her career bankroll to $357,152, and owns with Synerco Ventures and James Gallagher.
In the $20,000 Winners Over Life/Preferred Handicap Pace, Unlocked made it two straight — and four wins in his last seven starts — with a front-end score in 1:52 for Jim Pantaleano, trainer Norm Parker and owner Megan Rogers Racing Stables. Foiled Again, harness racing’s richest performer with more than $7.3 million in earnings, stalked Unlocked from the pocket and made up ground in the Lightning Lane, but fell a head short. The gallant 12-year-old gelding is now winless in 10 outings this year. Dapper Dude earned show. A five-year-old son of Duneside Perch-Miss Major Power, Unlocked now boasts $447,494 in lifetime earnings.
Pantaleano piloted four winners and Merriman three on the 14-race card.
(The Meadows)