Multiple stakes winner Drop The Ball earned the first victory of her aged career on Friday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack in the $20,000 first leg of the Green With Envy Series for four-year-old pacing mares.
Driven by Yannick Gingras, Drop The Ball settled away fifth after a post three start while Some Girls Do (Brian Sears) fired to command from the six-hole and put up a :28.4 opening quarter. As Some Girls Do backed down the pace to the half during a :30-second panel, Drop The Ball began to roll. The heavy favourite swept to command before the 1:25.2 third quarter mark and sprinted home for the 1:52.2 one length triumph. The P.J. Fraley entry of Krispy Apple (Tim Tetrick) and New Album (Ron Pierce) followed from the back of the pack for second and third.
Drop The Ball paid $2.80 to win. The Western Terror-Mattcheck Girl mare is trained by Ross Croghan for Let It Ride Stables Inc., Dana Parham and Robert Cooper Stables LLC. Drop The Ball now has one win, one second and one third (in the Artiscape Pace on June 10 at Tioga Downs) on her seasonal record. Last year she earned $529,047 with wins in the Mistletoe Shalee, Shady Daisy, Bluegrass Stakes, and Matron Stakes and a second place finish in the Breeders Crown.
Also on the card, six-year-old trotting mare Big Sky Angelina, driven by David Miller, edged out even-money favourite Zumba Mouse (Andy Miller) to win the $25,000 King Of The Fours Final in 1:54.2 for trainer Allie Reynolds and owner-breeder Domenico Costagliola. Stablemate Big Sky Hurricane finished third after setting the tempo. The winner returned $8.80 to her backers.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Meadowlands Racetrack.