Two-year-old colts and geldings were in the spotlight at The Meadowlands on Thursday evening, as the New Jersey oval hosted a trio of NJSS divisions
for pacers and trotters.
The NJSS trotters strutted their stuff in the first three races on the 10-race program, with Break The Bank K capturing the opening split in a career-best clocking of 1:56.3 for driver Ron Pierce and trainer Rich Gillock. The son of Revenue S-American Misty, who was a 1:57.4 in last week’s debut effort, drew off to win by more than six lengths over Homerun Hitter and Mamas Boo Bear in the $32,600 affair. Owned and bred by Bob Key of Leechburg, PA, Break The Bank K has banked $31,310 to date.
Trainer Erv Miller and driver Andy Miller clicked in the next split with Classical, who rallied in the closing strides to post a three-quarter length maiden-breaking victory over race favourite Flex The Muscle in a time of 1:57.4. Temple Of Doom rounded out the top three in the $33,100 contest. Classical, a son of Classic Photo-Beverly Crusher who was purchased for $90,000 at the Harrisburg Yearling Sale, is owned by John Fielding, Jack and Peggy Hood and Mystical Marker Farms LLC.
Pedigree players were in love with Holiday Road in the third division, and the full brother to Ken Warkentin (1:52.3 - $1,066,946) didn’t disappoint his backers. The son of Yankee Glide-Jambo, who was making his pari-mutuel debut for trainer Greg Peck, front-stepped his way to a 1:57 score for driver Brian Sears. Classic Viking took home the runner-up award and third prize was earned by Guard Dog. The well-bred youngster, who was a $115,000 purchase at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, is owned by Jerry Silva, T L P Stable, Patricia Bolte and Greg Peck.
It was the Rocknroll Hanover show when it came to NYSS divisions for the pacing colts and geldings. Sons of the Brett Pelling-trained superstar took two of the three divisions, and four of them hit the board.
The $40,300 opening division went to Blue Rock, a son of Rocknroll Hanover-Lady Indigo, who is now perfect in his first two trips postward for trainer Ronnie Burke. Brian Sears mapped out the winning trip for the colt, who was purchased for $47,000 from the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Detail Man was a determined runner-up and Break Dancer grabbed the show dough. Burke Racing Stable, Randy Ringer, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables LLC share ownership on the career winner of $40,065.
First-time starter Foreign Officer made an installment payment on his $200,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale price tag by capturing his $40,300 NJSS division for the partnership of Brittany Farms, who bred the colt, John Fielding, Mel Hartmann and John Fodera. The son of Western Ideal-Allamerican Coco rallied from just off the pace for driver Andy Miller, who used a 27-second final frame with the Erv Miller trainee to post the 1:54.1 decision. Mr Salvatore Fra, who was the 6-5 favourite, was second and third prize went to Rock N Roll Heaven.
The final NJSS tilt went to Rockin Image, a son of Rocknroll Hanover out of the multiple stakes-winner Kikikatie (1:50.3 - $1,415,566). The first foal of that star performer rallied to a 1:53.2 score over Gota Go Bullville and Tobago Cays for driver John Campbell. Jimmy Takter conditions the regally-bred rookie, who was making just his second lifetime start for Lothlorien [Susan Grange] of Cheltenham, Ontario.
To view Thursday’s harness racing results, click here.