Accomplished aged trotter Lucky Jim recorded his first charted line for new trainer Erv Miller Thursday, June 2 during the Meadowlands Racetrack's eight-race qualifying
session.
In rein to pilot Andy Miller, the six-year-old gelded son of SJs Photo left from the rail in Race 3 over a 'fast' track.
Miller opted to slot Lucky Jim into the pocket early. The career winner of over $1.6 million in purses got a gapped two-hole trip through the opening half mile, which saw the early fractions flash up in :27.4 and :57.1.
Miller asked his charge for trot on the final turn, and the pair ended up tripping the third timer while overland in 1:27.3. The multiple stakes winner opened up lengths on his foes in the lane, as he stretched his margin out to six and a half lengths, finished things up in :28.2 and posted a win time of 1:56.
Lucky Jim is coming off a 2010 campaign in which he won six races, finished second four times in 13 starts and banked over $490,000. The 2011 season has seen the polished veteran qualify well, but make breaks in each of his three pari-mutuel starts. After having found much success in the barn of trainer Julie Miller, Lucky Jim was recently moved to the stable of Erv Miller.
The last dash of the morning session saw the Jimmy Takter-trained and Marcus Johansson-driven Great Vintage record his first charted line of the 2011 season.
The three-year-old American Ideal colt started from Post 4, cut the fractions (:28.2, :59, 1:27.4) and kicked home in 27 seconds for a six-and-a-half-length victory in 1:54.4.
Great Vintage was pegged at the 26-1 tenth choice in Trot Magazine's 2011 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book, but he was not kept eligible to the Cup by his connections.
For results from Thursday's qualifying session, click the following link: Thursday Results - Meadowlands Racetrack (Qualifiers).