Cuz She Can defied her 14-1 odds and turned in a dazzling 1:49.4 victory in the $31,500 Fillies & Mares Invitational Pace on Saturday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack
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Longshot You Better Think (John Campbell) fired off the gate from Post 5 and battled three-wide around the first turn with the favoured Flirtiscape (George Brennan) and Tidewaterdragonfly (Tim Tetrick) before landing the top spot while Cuz She Can and Daniel Dube settled in fourth. Once in command, You Better Think bypassed the first quarter pole in a brisk :26.3, but the parked out Tidewaterdragonfly drove on to take the lead en route to the half in :53.4.
At that point, Flirtiscape rolled up from third and took the field to the third quarter station in 1:22 where Cuz You Can matched her strides and eventually pulled ahead in late stretch for the three-quarter length win in a career-best clocking of 1:49.4.
A And Gs Confusion (David Miller) came on for second forcing Flirtiscape to settle for third.
Trained by Mark Harder, the four-year-old Cambest mare scored for the fourth time this year in 16 tries. The winner of over $280,000 improved her overall record to 10-6-7 in 30 starts for Bulletproof Enterprises of Boca Raton, Florida.
In the co-featured $31,500 Invitational Trot, Likeabatoutahell and Brian Sears took top honours for the second straight week winning in 1:52.1.
Likeabatoutahell remained parked to the first quarter in :27 before clearing in front of In Focus (David Miller). Once in control, the six-year-old gelding put up the remaining panels of :56.1 and 1:24.4 and held off the fan favourite, Spam Spade (Andy Miller) by three-quarters of a length for the triumph. Slave Dream (John Campbell) finished right there in third.
The homebred son Sjs Caviar, who is trained by Trond Smedshammer for Michael Andrew of Gorham, Maine, scored his sixth win of the season in 15 tries. The 21-time winner has banked over $500,000 in his career.
Thebeastfromtheast posted an eye-catching victory of her own in her 10th race conditioning assignment when she lowered her own mark and established herself as the fastest Maritime-bred female pacer.
The four-year-old Drop Off mare, driven by Brian Sears and conditioned by Tony Montini for owner James Whelan of Troy, Ont., rallied off second-over cover in the stretch to win in 1:50.2 by three-quarters of a length over Dr Nabrinsky (Daniel Dube). Ashleys Lucky Lady (Andy Miller) finished third.
Thebeastfromtheast scored her second win in nine outings this year and has yet to finish out of the money. The winner of four races lifted her bankroll to $98,542 after earning the lion’s share of the $17,000 purse.
To view Friday’s results, click here.
Meadowlands Delivers Winners & Smiles In Paddock Park
The Meadowlands' Winners At The Wedge got off to a rousing start on Friday, June 19.
The new weekly event at the Kahuna Wedge in Paddock Park featured a meet and greet with driver Andy Miller, who helped fans dissect the Pick 4, and prize drawings for betting vouchers, a ride in the starting car and winner's circle presentations. Race goers also took part in bouncy pony races and a cheering squad for the sixth race invitational. Winners At The Wedge will be held every Friday night, weather permitting, through the end of the 2009 Championship Meet at the Meadowlands. The program will feature a guest appearance by a leading driver or trainer each week, and will also include opportunities to tour the paddock.
(With files from NJSEA)