Three-year-old Cantab Hall colt Citation Lindy qualified this morning at the Meadowlands Racetrack, rebounding from a break in stride last time out. Surprisingly enough, Lucky Jim, the top trotter of 2009 to this point, had a tough go if it during his qualifying tilt
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With trainer Ray Schnittker in the bike, the Hambletonian hopeful left from Post 6 in Race 3 and led at every call, eventually stopping the clock with a 1:55.2 mile.
Citation Lindy came a back half in :57.4 with a final quarter of :28.3. The margin of victory was one length.
Race 4 saw five-year-old Self Possessed gelding Lanson torch the one-mile course via a gate-to-wire mile in 1:52.2 for trainer Don Swick and driver Michel Lachance. The margin of victory was a whopping 18 and a half lengths.
Lucky Jim, who currently sits atop the 2009 Hambletonian/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll, also took part in Race 4. The colt hadn't raced since capturing the $250,000 final of the Maxie Lee Memorial May 31 at Chester Racetrack. With a perfect 12-for-12 record so far this season, the four-year-old SJs Photo gelding surprised everyone with a break in stride at the three quarters pole and at the head of the stretch. Lucky Jim would go on to finish third, 33 lengths in arrears of Lanson, trotting his mile in 1:59. Andy Miller was driving for trainer Julie Miller.
A total of eight qualifying races were contested on the card.