Monterey Jack debuted impressively two weeks ago during the baby race session at The Meadowlands and he returned on Friday (July 3) with another powerful performance to conclude the day's Breakfast With The Babies bonanza.
With driver Yannick Gingras at the controls, Monterey Jack sat the pocket behind Captain Leblanc (Andy McCarthy) through fractions of :28.3, :57.4 and 1:27.2 before pocket-popping at the head of the stretch and pacing by the pacesetter to win by some three lengths in a brisk 1:54.3. Captain Leblanc stayed for second with Hurrikane Georgie (Mark MacDonald) not far back in third.
Monterey Jack is trained by Nancy Takter for breeder - owner Black Horse Racing, who co-owns the pacing colt with John Fielding and Caviart Farms. A $140,000 Lexington yearling purchase, Monterey Jack is from the first crop of Always B Miki and the first foal from the speedy stakes pacing mare Katie Said.
On the trotting side, Captain Corey was just as impressive in his second baby race appearance. After a solid second-place finish two weeks ago in which he closed with :26.3 speed, Captain Corey showed that explosive late trot again on Friday. With trainer Ake Svanstedt driving, Captain Corey sat third in the early going behind Whothehillareyou (Tim Tetrick) and Rattle My Cage through early panels of :29.1 and :58. Both Rattle My Cage and Captain Corey tipped off the wood heading to the third quarter, with Rattle My Cage taking control through the 1:27.2 third station. Captain Corey tipped out and drew clear of his rivals in the stretch, winning by nearly three lengths over Zenith Stride (Brian Sears) and Beyond The Hill (David Miller) in 1:55.1.
Plucked from the 2019 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $150,000, Captain Corey (Googoo Gaagaa - Luv U All) is owned by SRF Stable, Knutsson Trotting Inc. and Midnight Sun Partners Inc. of Florida.
Sandwiching the baby races were five qualifiers for more seasoned performers. North America Cup-eligible Captain Kirk sharpened for a possible appearance in next week's Meadowlands Pace eliminations with a sizzling wire-to-wire 1:49.3 mile to kick off the session.
Trained by Tony Alagna for Brittany Farms LLC, Marvin Katz, Brad Grant and Captain Kirk Racing, Captain Kirk was a solid runner-up in a 1:48.2 mile won by Splash Brother two weeks ago in his first and only pari-mutuel appearance of 2020.
Ontario Sires Stakes product Beads was also impressive in qualifying action, winning his test in 1:52.2 over a number of Hambletonian-eligible colts including 2019 divisional champion Real Cool Sam.
Jimmy Takter guided the son of Archangel - Nepentha to victory for trainer Per Engblom and owner Renee Spahr. The 1:52.2 mile for Beads shaved nearly two seconds off his lifetime best.
To view the full results from Friday's qualifying session, click one of the following links: