The co-fastest Standardbred by virtue of his 1:46 win earlier this month, Lather Up tuned up for a likely appearance on Hambletonian Day with a sizzling mile at The Meadowlands on Saturday (July 27).
Driver Montrell Teague asked Lather Up to do all the work in the first qualifier of the morning, forwardly placed against his three rivals off the gate. After initial splits of :28.4, :55.4 (:27) and 1:24 (:28.1), Lather Up uncorked a :25.4 final stanza to trip the timer in 1:49.4, a baker's dozen ahead of his closest rival, Rebel Rouser (Scott Zeron).
Trained by Clyde Francis for Gary & Barbara Iles of Harrington, Delaware, Lather Up boasts six wins from nine seasonal starts. His career bankroll exceeds $1.5 million.
Lather Up is one of the many stars of harness racing expected to appear on the Hambletonian Day undercard as one of 22 horses eligible to the $260,000 Sam McKee Memorial.
Results for the qualifying sessions from Saturday morning at The Meadowlands can be found at these links: