Rapsong sat fourth off the early pace set by Gabbys Dream and rallied to take the first of three New Jersey
Sire Stakes events for three-year-old filly trotters Wednesday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Driven by Tim Tetrick, the daughter of Windsongs Legacy held off the pocketsitter Seaside (David Miller) by a neck at the wire in 1:56.3. Gabbys Dream (Andy Miller) held third after an early tussle with Caviart Annie to make the lead.
Rapsong improved her record to four wins in 19 career starts and paid $20.20 to win the evening's $38,400 third race. Trainer George Dennis of Wyoming, Delaware shares ownership of the filly, a $15,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Selected Sale, with Ask W Stables Inc.
Celebrity Athena rocketed up the pylons to take the fifth race NJSS division in 1:57.3 for driver Peter Wallinder and trainer Staffan Lind. One Tough Girl (Tim Tetrick) closed fastest of all to finish second, while O Dana O (Stephen Smith) was third.
Celebrity Athena, a daughter of Yankee Glide-Show Me Leg was a $70,000 yearling purchased at the Lexington Selected Sale by Celebrity Farms of New York, NY.
Southwind Wasabi, another daughter of Windsongs Legacy, took the third and final NJSS division. Driven by Cat Manzi, Southwind Wasabi took command past the half and uncorked an impressive :27.4 final quarter to take the sixth race by two and three-quarter lengths in 1:57.3. Ok To Play (Tim Tetrick) drafted behind the winner and finished second, while Graceful Sister (David Miller) angled off cover for third.
Chuck Sylvester trains and co-owns Southwind Wasabi with Neal Goldman of Washington Township and Margaret Dey of Allentown, New Jersey. Sylvester selected her out of the Harrisburg yearling sale for $22,000.
The $200,000 NJSS Championship for three-year-old fillies will share the stage with $1.1 million in stakes races for Jersey-breds on Saturday, June 13 at the Meadowlands.
(NJSEA)