If you love trotters, then there’s a good chance you had your eyes fixated on the Meadowlands Racetrack’s Thursday evening program. The New Jersey oval hosted six divisions of the Kindergarten Series – four for colts and geldings and two for fillies – and a single division of the Ima Lula Series for four-year-old mares.
Cedar Dove took on ten foes in the lone $20,000 division of the Ima Lula Series, and she had to overcome a second-tier start to register the 1:54.4 win. Tui led through intervals of :28.3, :56.4 and 1:25.3 but she couldn’t hold off a tripped out Cedar Dove, who vaulted off of a second-over trip to win in 1:54.4 for driver Ron Pierce and trainer Noel Daley. Firstclassprincess was the runner-up, with Lady Andover grabbing third prize.
The four-year-old daughter of Andover Hall-Pine For Her, who was a beaten favourite in last week’s opening leg of the series, is owned in partnership by the Adam Victor And Son Stable of New York, NY and John Fielding of Toronto, ON. The victory improved her 2012 record to 3-3-1 from seven starts. The 11-time winner has banked $887,510 to date.
Canada’s Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year in 2011, China Pearls, was scratched from Thursday’s second leg of the Ima Lula Series after winning her opening leg assignment in 1:53.3 for trainer Carman Hie and driver John Campbell.
Ergo Hanover survived a first-over journey to win the first $10,000 division of the Kindergarten Series for the colts and geldings in a time of 1:57.3 for driver John Campbell. The son of Donato Hanover-Englischer Garten wore down the tempo-setting Robin Would and drew clear to win by 4-3/4 lengths thanks in large part to a :27.4 final quarter. Robin Would held on for the runner-up award, with Jersey Rebel finishing third.
Jimmy Takter trains the colt for Brittany Farms, Little E LLC, Joe Sbrocco and Mindset Partners. The $75,000 purchase from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale has recovered $14,471 of his price tag.
Bluto is now two-for-two in his career thanks to a front-stepping score in his $10,000 division with trainer/driver Jimmy Takter in tow. They led the field through fractions of :29.1, :58.3 and 1:29 before scooting home in :30.1 to freeze the teletimer in 1:59.1. San Donato came on to grab the place position, with Bizzaro Lindy taking home the show dough.
The son of Donato Hanover-Blur, who was sent off as the 1-5 favourite, is owned by Christina Takter, John Fielding, Louie Camara and Jim Fielding. The juvenile was a $45,000 purchase from last year’s Lexington Select Yearling Sale. The $5,000 payday bumped his overall earnings to $44,465.
Banco Solo didn’t have much luck in his first two starts for trainer Kenneth Oscarsson, but he passed his third test with flying colours. The son of Master Glide-Silver Touch, who was parked every step of the way for driver Ron Pierce, drew away to win by 3-1/4 lengths over Cashco in 1:59.2. Race favourite Whole Lotta Nasty took home third prize.
Atlantic Trot Inc of Pompano Beach, FL bred and owns the career winner of $11,981.
The final division for the colts and geldings went to True Valentine and driver Ron Pierce in a time of 1:59.4. The Jimmy Takter pupil, who was sent off as the 1-2 favourite, shot to the lead from Post 3 and sliced out splits of :30, 1:00 and 1:30.2 before using a :29.2 closing quarter to win by a length over Right Away. Rounding out the top three finishers was Whata Donato.
Jimmy Takter trains the son of Cantab Hall-Yankee Valentine for Brittany Farms, who bred the two-time winner. He’s already managed to bank $47,567.
Frau Blucher rallied for a 1:59 score in the first $10,000 division of the Kindergarten Series for the fillies. Brian Sears worked out the winning trip for the 3-5 favourite, who hauled down Sturdy Muscles in deep stretch after that foe supplied the field with early fractions of :29.3, :59.4 and 1:29.1. Thistle Dhu, who lacked racing room through the lane, grabbed the show dough.
Chris Oakes trains the daughter of Broadway Hall-My Angel for Hauser Bros Rcng Ent LLC or Orangeburg, NY and Matt Tudisco of Park Ridge, NJ. The filly was a $21,000 purchase from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
True Day Dream pulled off a 5-1 mild upset in the next split, winning in 1:59 for trainer/driver Dan O’Mara. The daughter of Infinitf-Tenacious Victory marched to the lead and hung up a :30.4 first quarter before being overtaken in the backstretch by Parlia Hanover. She led the group by the mid-way point in 1:00.4 before being overtaken by True Day Dream. O’Mara and his charge sprinted to the three-quarter marker in 1:30 before using a :29-second closing panel to record the victory over Handover Belle and Shared Past.
Joseph Hess of New Milford, NJ owns the rookie, who already owns a 2-1-1 record from just four assignments. The freshman, who was purchased for a mere $3,700 from last year’s Blooded Horse Sale, has already banked $23,631 to date.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Meadowlands Racetrack.