It was three weeks ago on Hambletonian Day that Instagram Model came from off the pace to take the $355,000 Jim Doherty Memorial in a lifetime-best 1:53, so it came as no surprise when the daughter of Chapter Seven-Check Out Trixie won a $20,000 division of the Kindergarten Series for two-year-old trotting fillies at The Meadowlands Thursday night (Sept. 1) as the mile oval kicked off an eight-card September “mini meet”.
The Annie Stoebe trainee, whose last start resulted in a dominant four-length score in New York Sire Stakes action on Aug. 19 at Vernon Downs, scored for the fourth time from just five starts after sitting a pocket trip behind Grand Fashion.
After grabbing the lead at the head of the stretch, Instagram Model went to a 1-3/4-length win in 1:56 to up her win streak to three. She returned $2.40 to her backers with Andy McCarthy driving as the 1-5 public choice, and in the process, upped her lifetime bankroll to $206,575. Grand Fashion held second with Defacement third.
After the Doherty, Stoebe told DRF Harness: “When it comes to staking any horse, I like to pick two major races that I want to win. I went with the Doherty and the [Oct. 28] Breeders Crown [at Woodbine Mohawk Park]. Her entire schedule revolves around those two races. I amazingly accomplished my first goal and the next goal is to have her ready for the Breeders Crown.”
Other winners in Kindergarten action include Ake Svanstedt trainee Gates Hanover (winning in 1:55.1, $6 to win), Brett Pelling pupil Charleston (1:53.3, $6.60) in rein to Dexter Dunn, Anette Lorentzon trainee Quick Stop (1:56.2, $5.20) driven by Todd McCarthy, John Butenschoen pupil Purple Lord (1:54.1, $10.80) steered by Corey Callahan and Nancy Takter trainee Ants Marching (1:52.2, $15) driven by Todd McCarthy.
IT TAKES TWO: Trainer Chris Ryder had a pair of winners on the night, scoring with Lisa Lane (Lazarus N-Special Kay Deo) in a Kindergarten division for two-year-old pacing fillies, and with Goldin Greatness (Huntsville-Bet On Hill) in a split for two-year-old pacing males. Chris’ son Patrick drove Lisa Lane, giving him his first win at The Meadowlands. Three-time defending Dan Patch Driver of the Year Dexter Dunn was in the bike behind Goldin Greatness.
TIM TERRIFIC: Reflecting on winning his 13,000th career race at Harrah’s Philadelphia with Sir Isaac Newton on Wednesday, Tim Tetrick told the Big M’s Jessica Otten: “It’s pretty special for a kid who thought he’d be a groom.” Tetrick, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame two years ago, won his first race with Travelin Legacy for a purse of $1,168. Since then, he’s won five Meadowlands Paces, four Driver of the Year Awards and has amassed lifetime earnings of almost $250 million.
A LITTLE MORE: Driver Todd McCarthy, last seen taking the Hambletonian with 52-1 longshot Cool Papa Bell, kept on rolling, guiding three winners on the card.
All-source wagering on the nine-race program totaled $1,206,420.
Racing resumes Friday (Sept. 2) at 6:20 p.m. (EDT).
(The Meadowlands)