Southwind Chrome was sent on a mission by his driver Scott Zeron in the Friday night feature at the Meadowlands. And he completed it in spectacular fashion.
The five-year-old son of Chapter Seven-Counter Pointe won a second straight start in the $22,500 Preferred for trotters, as the razor-sharp Jeff Cullipher trainee scored in 1:50.4 after going a less-than-ideal trip.
There were horses leaving the gate from the outside, so Zeron had a decision to make early on from post eight.
“I think given the circumstances, it worked out the way it had to,” said Zeron. “There were not a lot of leavers mid-pack, so it was either sneak into the four-hole or go to the front. Midway around the first turn, I decided to go to the lead. He was so good tonight. I figured I’d make the front and then rate from there.”
But it would not be easy. JL Cruze, the 5-2 favourite, grabbed the lead at the quarter in a wicked :26.3 as Southwind Chrome continued his march to the top while uncovered. He did not clear until the three-eighths.
The half was reached in :55 and Southwind Chrome was moving well on the point, then Zeron asked for more in an effort to seal the victory on the far turn.
“I figured if I put space between Dex [Dunn, driving JL Cruze] and I at the five-eighths, I would be able to cruise down the lane.”
He did just that.
Southwind Chrome opened up a 1-3/4-length edge at three-quarters after rating the third fraction in :28 and upped his lead to 2-1/2 at the head of the stretch. Southwind Chrome’s advantage diminished in deep stretch as JL Cruze was closing in, but still held on by a safe neck. Kenziesky Hanover was third.
“When you have a good horse, you just want to know the other horses’ form,” said Zeron. “I knew my horse was at the top of his game.”
Southwind Chrome, who is heading for next week’s $200,000 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial at the Big M, paid $9.20 to win as the second choice in the betting and now has 13 wins from 36 career starts and earnings of $233,036 for owners Pollack Racing and Jeff Cullipher.
NJSS WRAP UP: The second leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-olds saw four divisions on the Friday card, and filly pacer Odds On Sarasota (Rock N Roll Heaven-Odds On Charmaine) stayed perfect in two Sire Stakes starts this year by finding room late along the pylons to win in 1:55 as the 4-5 favourite for driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Ross Croghan.
Rockin The Aces (Rock N Roll Heaven-Mattaroni) came from way back at odds of 17-1 to gun down 1-9 public choice Rock Me Hard in deep stretch in the colts and geldings pace in a lifetime-best 1:51.2 for Brian Sears and Robert Cleary.
Absattitudexpress was sent to the top by Yannick Gingras and blew away the field at odds of 7-1 for Lucas Wallin in the filly trot. The daughter of Trixton-Abbiesgotattidtude stopped the clock in a lifetime-best 1:52.4.
After racing wide around the first turn, 2-5 favourite Play Trix On Me was a dominant winner in the colts and geldings trot. The son of Trixton-Lima Playmate equaled his lifetime best of 1:53.2 for Zeron and Linda Toscano, the Hall of Famer who was celebrating a birthday.
A LITTLE MORE: Former Meadowlands leading drivers Sears and George Brennan, who were winless in 39 and 22 starts, respectively, both won for the first time at the meet. … The Big M’s “Big 4” multi-leg wagers were popular, as the 20-cent Pick-5 ($74,907), 20-cent Pick-6 ($32,872 with some help from a $8,948 carryover), Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($78,906) and Late 50-cent Pick-4 ($78,087) all took big play. Wagering for the 13-race card totaled $2,837,178, upping the Big M’s streak of at least $2.5 million in handle to 14. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)