Two-year-old trotters were out in full force at the Meadowlands on Thursday evening, as the New Jersey oval hosted four splits of the John Simpson Memorial.
The fillies squared off in a trio of divisions known as the Davidia Hanover, and the most impressive lass of them all was To Dream On. The daughter of Credit Winner got away fifth before rushing to lead past the mid-way point of the mile for trainer/driver Jimmy Takter. She trotted her own third quarter in :26.3 to lead the field to the three-quarter pole in 1:26.4 before tacking on a :28.4 closing panel en route to the 11-length decision in 1:55.3. Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, she defeated True Day Dream and Good Intentions.
The $200,000 purchase from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale is owned by Marvin Katz of Toronto and Al Libfeld of Pickering, ON. She’s the first foal out of Satin Pillows – the sister to the likes of Pampered Princess (1:53 - $1,740.605) and Was It A Dream (1:57 - $824,457).
Lady Riviera captured her $10,588 division in first-over fashion in a time of 1:58 for driver Ron Pierce. Sent off at odds of 11-1, the daughter of Sand Vic wore down the leaders and drew clear to win by a length over Morningstar, with third prize going to Ladyfinger.
Rich Banca trains the first-timer for Richard T. Banca of Franklin Lakes, NJ. She’s the second foal out of the mare La Riviera Lindy, who hit a homerun with her first foal – Chapter Seven (1:50.4 - $952,333 – who races in Friday night’s Titan Cup Final at The Meadowlands.
Miss Steele won as she pleased for driver Andy Miller in the final division for the fillies. Sent off as the 8-5 favourite, she used come-from-behind tactics to win by a length over Dewey Lane, with Muscles Secret taking home third prize in the $10,588 affair.
Julie Miller trains the Muscles Yankee-Ediths Chip youngster for the Andy Miller Stable Inc of New Jersey and Omer Miller of Illinois. She was purchased for $22,000 from last year’s Lexington Select Yearling Sale.
In the lone $27,065 division known as the Super Bowl for the colts and geldings, Caveat Emptor was a much-the-best winner for trainer/driver Ray Schnittker. The son of Deweycheatumnhowe-Venus Hall cleared to the top at the mid-way point and simply trotted away from the competition. He was 5-1/4 lengths the best in 1:57, with Corky next best and Super Classic rounding out the top three finishers.
Sent off as part of a favoured three-horse entry, Caveat Emptor broke his maiden in his first-ever assignment for Schnittker and Caveat Emptor of Middletown, NY. The colt was a $60,000 purchase from last year’s Lexington Select Yearling Sale.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Meadowlands Racetrack.