Big Jim came back from a second place finish in last week’s Meadowlands Pace to win the second leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers Saturday night at the Meadowlands
Racetrack.
Sent off as the heavy favourite, driver Phil Hudon guided Big Jim in a relaxed effort to the front of the field and pulled away to win the first $24,000 NJSS division. He scored in 1:50.3, finishing four and three-quarter lengths ahead of runner-up Rollem Up.
Hudon was pleased with the way the colt came off a fast-finishing second to Roll With Joe in the Meadowlands Pace on July 16.
“He’s come back really well this week,” said Hudon. “He didn’t do too much this week in training. He was jogged lightly most of the week because they don’t need that much when they’re going this fast. He was nice and quiet getting to the quarter today. He was 1-9 so I just kind of let him do what he wanted. I didn’t rev him up anywhere. I let him pace a little bit down the lane but I didn’t pop the earplugs or anything.”
The New Jersey Classic champion sports a $1.5 million-plus bankroll for owner James Carr of Hamilton, Ont. The son of Western Ideal-Bold Pink has hit the board in all eight starts this season, and is 10-for-18 lifetime. He paid $2.10 to win.
Rockstar Temper rode the rail down the stretch to upset in the second $24,500 NJSS division with Pat Berry at the lines. The colt by Rocknroll Hanover-Dragon Temper was sent off at 28-1 odds and posted a mark of 1:50.2 for owner-trainer Carl Le Cause of Freehold, New Jersey and co-owner August Licameli of Fairview, New Jersey. He finished two and a quarter lengths ahead of Best Man Hanover, who was second. Lookinforadventure held on for third. Rockstar Temper returned $59.40 to win.
Krispy Apple romped in the opener, winning the second leg of the NJSS for three-year-old pacing fillies. The Miss New Jersey champion breezed by the field at the half-mile marker and cruised to the wire, posting a new lifetime mark of 1:50.1. She finished three and three-quarter lengths ahead of Rocklamation. Caviart Sarah was third. The daughter by Western Ideal out of Apple Krisp now has seven wins in nine starts this season for trainer Mark Kesmodel and co-owners Jeffrey Bamond and Joseph Davino. Her only two losses have been to undefeated pacing filly See You At Peelers. She paid $2.20 to win.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)