Huntsville fended off late pressure from Downbytheseaside to capture Saturday’s $738,550 Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
It was a mad charge for the front-end when the starting gate released the sophomore pacers, and when the dust settled it was the free-legged Classic Pro and driver Trevor Henry on top through an opening quarter in :26.4. Blood Line and Mark MacDonald then made a snap move to the front, only to be overtaken by race favourite Huntsville and driver Tim Tetrick.
Huntsville rolled the field through middle fractions of :53.3 and 1:20.3, but things got interesting late when Downbytheseaside and Brian Sears rushed up to challenge. Huntsville summoned up :27.1 closing speed, and that was just enough to hold off the late-rushing Downbytheseaside. Classic Pro was third.
“My horse was tired late,” said Tim Tetrick. “He kept pushing all the way to the wire.”
Trainer Ray Schnittker co-owns the son of Somebeachsomewhere-Wild West Show with Ted Gewertz, and Steven Arnold. The partners watched their prized pacer improve this year’s record to 5-2-0 from seven starts while his seasonal bankroll climbed over $700,000. The 12-time winner has stashed away $1,420,538.