Yo Tillie dug in through the stretch and overtook a game Champagne Problems in the final strides to extend her winning streak to 11 by capturing the $342,466 New Jersey Classic for three-year-old female trotters by a neck in 1:50.2 at The Meadowlands.
The winning time was a career best for Yo Tillie, who is eight-for-eight this season for trainer Andrew Harris after finishing her two-year-old campaign with three consecutive victories for then owner/trainer/driver Verlin Yoder.
“I think she would exceed almost anybody’s expectations,” said Harris, who joined with New Jersey's Bill Pollock and Bruce Areman to buy Yo Tillie in mid-November. “You don’t ever expect a filly to go out there and do what she’s doing.
“She just does it, she just wants to win. When you get about 10 feet from the wire, she’s trying to put her nose out in front. That’s all class. You can’t teach that, you just have it, or you don’t.”
Yo Tillie and driver Todd McCarthy found themselves in third as Walspea, with Yannick Gingras in the sulky, led to the opening quarter in :26.3 while keeping Champagne Problems and driver Dexter Dunn a parked-out second until past that marker. Champagne Problems got the lead on her way to the half in :55.3, then faced a first-over challenge from Yo Tillie as they raced to three-quarters in 1:23.3.
Champagne Problems and Yo Tillie matched strides for much of the stretch drive, with Yo Tillie’s race-best :26.3 last quarter proving decisive at the wire. Walspea finished third and Hambletonian Oaks champion Conversano, with Andy McCarthy driving, was fourth.
“I know all these horses are getting better, and every horse is good right now,” said Harris. “I respect every horse. The second you don’t respect one of them, they’re going to come up and beat you. They’re all super athletes.
“That was the fastest mile of [Yo Tillie’s] life, so she’s not running out of steam, horses are getting better. Kudos to [trainer] Nancy Takter. She’s got Champagne Problems 10 times better than what she was and she was really impressive tonight. It’s just kudos to the competition she’s racing and I think it says more about Yo Tillie that she’s actually beating these guys when these guys are all trotting in [1]:50.”
Yo Tillie has won 16 of 20 career races and increased her earnings over the million-dollar mark. The daughter of Tactical Landing-Consolidator was the No. 3-ranked horse in North America in this week’s Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll.
“It’s unbelievable,” said co-owner Pollock. “This is what everybody dreams of, having a horse that wins pretty much week after week.”
Yo Tillie paid $2.20 as the 1-9 favourite.
Earlier on the card, Lipstick and driver David Miller surprised at odds of 44-1 in the $342,466 New Jersey Classic for two-year-old female trotters.
Lipstick, leaving from post two, was first to the quarter by a nose in :28. Days Away and driver Jason Bartlett were on top to the :57.3 half before New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Emmas Mystery CCL and Andy McCarthy led the field to three-quarters in 1:25.3. Lipstick was fourth on the pylons at the top of the stretch but found room to the outside and came home in :27.4 to win by a head over Southwind Chaska and Tim Tetrick in 1:54. Days Away finished third and Emmas Mystery CCL was fourth.
Lipstick earned her first victory in seven starts after four previous top-three finishes.
“I raced her a couple starts back and she was real handy about getting out of there,” said Miller. “When the one [Days Away] wasn’t right up on the gate, I went around and got around her. It’s just kind of how the race unfolded. Jason retook and then Andy went to the lead. I was still pretty happy with my spot and at the head of the stretch I was able to slide over and as soon as I got her plugs out she took right off. She felt really strong at that point. I thought if I could get out that she would give them a good run and she sure did. It worked out for us.”
Trained by Anette Lorentzon, Lipstick is owned by Anvil And Lace Farm and Girlz Just Wanna Have Fun. The daughter of Tactical Landing-Non Stick, who was a $21,622 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase, boosted her bankroll to $232,879.
Lipstick returned $91.60 to win.
Apex took full advantage of a pocket trip behind rival Diabolic Hill before making a mid-stretch move en route to a dominant 1:52.2 score in the $342,466 New Jersey Classic for two-year-old male trotters.
Dexter Dunn kept Apex out of trouble on the first turn as both Maga Hill (Yannick Gingras) and Practical Man (Todd McCarthy) broke stride in pursuit of the early lead. Captain Jordan (Tim Tetrick) inherited that lead from the pole nearing the completion of a :29 first quarter before yielding to Apex, who in turn yielded control to Diabolic Hill (Andy McCarthy) upon reaching the backstretch.
"We had enough room on the first turn when they both made the breaks to handle it," said Dunn of Apex, who had floated just behind the front flight in the race's initial stages. "To the horse's credit, he handled it like a professional."
After ceding the lead to Diabolic Hill, who was unopposed for the entire middle half, Apex drafted through splits of :56.4 and 1:25.2 before angling off the pegs turning for home. And while McCarthy had to ask Diabolic Hill for his best stretch effort, Apex's mind was already on business, and the Walner-Mission Brief colt rolled to the lead with 150 yards to go and drew clear handily by 5-3/4 lengths while also shaving a full second off his previous lifetime best. Captain Jordan and Southwind Alamo (Johnathan Ahle) overtook a breaking Diabolic Hill in deep stretch and rallied to finish second and third, respectively.
"He felt super tonight; he travelled terrific throughout the mile," continued Dunn. "When I moved him at the top of the straight, he was doing it easy at the end. He seems to be learning all the time; I couldn't be more pleased with how he's progressing."
As the 2-5 favourite, Apex returned $2.80 to win. Marcus Melander trains the four-time winner, who has earned $383,746 in six starts for the partnership of Jeffrey Snyder, SRF Stable and Steve Stewart.
The $342,466 New Jersey Classic for three-year-old male trotters proved markedly more eventful: Second choice The Rogue Prince broke behind the gate, 1-2 favourite Onajetplane stalled turning for home after a long first-over grind and first-place finisher Mountcastle switched to a pacing gait four strides before the winning post, all leading to unofficial runner-up Camera Man being elevated to a 21-1 upset.
Jason Bartlett spotted Camera Man in seventh early as 50-1 pacesetter Go Boom (Dexter Dunn) controlled early splits of :27.1 and :55.3. As Onajetplane and Andy McCarthy began their first-over ascent out of fifth midway up the backstretch, Mountcastle (Scott Zeron) angled second-over and Bartlett landed Camera Man third-over into a live tow that picked up considerably through the far turn.
Onajetplane worked forward steadily to offer mild pressure to Go Boom past three-quarters in 1:23.2 but stalled upon turning for home, prompting Zeron to slingshot Mountcastle three-deep in the final furlong. But as Mountcastle struck the front and picked up speed nearing the winning post, he switched into a pace, resulting in his demotion to second behind Camera Man, who slipstreamed his bold mid-stretch move and finished two lengths in arrears before being promoted to victory. Go Ahead Makemyday (Yannick Gingras) emerged from traffic to save third over an engulfed Go Boom. Onajetplane faded to finish ninth in the 10-horse field.
Camera Man, a Six Pack-Cameron Hill colt with five career wins in 19 starts and $285,718 in total purses earned, is trained by Bruce Saunders for owner Randy Zane of Blainville, Que. His race time of 1:51.2 knocked over two seconds off his previous lifetime mark.
"We got multiple breaks in there," admitted Saunders. "We were lucky two times, and you've got to be lucky in this game. He got a very good trip tonight. The flow was perfect and Jason did a great job with him.
"He's improved each start. He's a happy horse; we couldn't be any happier for him. Great owner, great caretaker — that's what's necessary to be successful in this game."
Camera Man paid $44 to win.
Papis Pistol and Bookie J won their respective $205,479 New Jersey Classic finals for male pacers.
Papis Pistol, driven by Jason Bartlett, returned from finishing third in a New Jersey Classic prep last week at The Meadowlands – pitted against the two main rivals in this week's final – and took distinct command of all four quarters to win the three-year-old male pacing event in a startling 1:47.4, which is far better than his previous speed badge on the oval.
The son of Papi Rob Hanover-Bang Bang took the lead into a fiery :26 first panel and ruled the mile from there. Captain Optimistic (Dexter Dunn) sat in the catbird seat as the quick pace ensued with a :54.1 half. Bartlett sat pretty with Papis Pistol while even-money favourite Manolete (Scott Zeron) moved out of third to challenge on the outside but plateaued in the turn as the tempo stayed hot. Bartlett had his charge coasting through three-quarters in 1:21.3 and had plenty left in the lane to deliver a final quarter in :26.1 and win with little challenge by two lengths. Captain Optimistic gave chase to get second from Manolete, who levelled off into third.
Trainer Sam De Pinto said of Papis Pistol that, leading up to this race, “his feet were bothering him and we addressed it. That’s the results right there; he got a lot better up front. He was waiting for that mile.”
De Pinto also said the only thing he did different approaching the race was, "I didn’t train him. I just jogged him this week rather than train him, just to keep him happy. He does the rest.”
Papis Pistol has now earned $557,268 by winning for the seventh time in his 24 career starts. He is owned by New Jersey's Shannon Depinto, Chris Arvanitis and Anthony Perretti along with Brad Shackman of Calgary, Alta.
Papis Pistol paid $7.60 to win.
Bookie J, driven by Dexter Dunn, won the two-year-old colt and gelding pace, going the mile in a personal-best 1:51.1.
Callmebigpapi (Todd McCarthy) left fastest from the outside post seven to take the first lead as Rocknacious (Scott Zeron) followed with Bookie J in third. As the field approached the :27 first quarter, Hunting Glory (Eric Goodell) left the pylons and soared to the top. That one barely settled on the point as Bookie J eased out to chase for the lead.
The shuffling continued as Callmebigpapi looped back to the front before Bookie J planted on the lead just past a :56.2 half. Bookie J had a ton of speed left and Dunn let him loose in the turn to cut three-quarters in 1:24.3. Bookie J held a comfortable lead in the stretch until Hunting Glory found room on the inside and rushed forward late but too late, settling for second by a neck. Callmebigpapi took the show spot.
Chris Ryder trains Bookie J for owner Kenneth Jacobs. The Perfect Sting-Skyy gelding paid $2.60 to win as he recorded his second in seven starts and raised his bankroll to $181,962.
Jacobs said the $67,568 Lexington Selected Sale yearling purchase started slow but got better under the supervision of Ryder.
“They’re never cheap, but I do a lot of research and I try to find one that doesn’t always command [a big price]. Especially a pacer – trotters are [mostly] $200,000, so I try to find one underneath $100,000 and usually I’m successful. [This gelding] keeps getting better.”
Worklifebalance and Perfect Thought both uncorked strong stretch bursts to claim their respective $205,479 New Jersey Classic finals for pacing fillies.
Driver Andy McCarthy ripped off cover with Worklifebalance and withstood an intensifying push from 3-5 favourite Asphalt to win the three-year-old filly pace in a lifetime-best 1:49.4.
McCarthy settled Worklifebalance into fourth through a :27 first quarter while 17-1 shot Shesgotthejack (Matt Kakaley) hurried to the lead. Despite the field rolling single file, Shesgotthejack maintained steady speed to a :55.4 half and prepared for the challengers looming in the last turn.
Asphalt (Tim Tetrick) edged outside and flushed cover from Worklifebalance, who in turn caught cover from pocket-popping Beach Babe (Yannick Gingras) as they moved for three-quarters in 1:23.2. Shesgotthejack clung to a diminishing lead as McCarthy launched his charge off cover with Asphalt gathering steam to her outside. Worklifebalance quickened enough with Asphalt creeping nearer and reached the finish in time for the win by a head while Shesgotthejack held her ground to snag the photo for third from Beach Babe in fourth.
“That’s a very good filly, Asphalt. I figured if she was on my helmet turning for home I’d have a lot to deal with,” said McCarthy after the race. “But first time Lasix I guess helped her out a little bit – she really fought hard to the wire. The trip worked out really good for me. I got to just move her in the last turn there, picked up cover for a bit and got to sprint home from there.”
Noel Daley trains Worklifebalance, a daughter of Cattlewash-Ubettergo Go, and co-owns alongside KDP Stable. The sophomore filly now has six wins from 20 career starts, with earnings totalling $426,622.
Worklifebalance paid $6.60 to win.
Perfect Thought chased steady speed from the pocket and sprinted home best in a strung-out field to win the $205,479 New Jersey Classic for two-year-old pacing fillies in 1:51.1.
Driver Scott Zeron floated forward with Perfect Thought, the 4-5 favourite, and secured a snug spot behind pacesetter Car Keys (Dexter Dunn) into a :27.1 first quarter. No movement came after Car Keys up the backstretch, leaving the leader to gallivant to a :56.1 half. Perfect Thought continued to follow intently as the field hit the far turn.
Car Keys readied for the pounce rolling to three-quarters in 1:24.3 since Perfect Thought remained the last foe in contention coming for home. Zeron tipped his charge outside and faced little struggle sliding to the top in the lane. Perfect Thought shrugged by Car Keys and posted a 2-1/4-length win. Pa Perfect (Corey Callahan) gave pursuit another five lengths behind to hold third from the late-charging Napalm (David Miller) in fourth.
“Dex’s filly was exceptional, too, and obviously we turned it into a match race late,” said Zeron after the race. “She trained down exceptionally and [Anthony MacDonald] told me before he sent her that she’s a really special filly, and she has qualified and raced like that. She’s a nice big horse that doesn’t get stressed out, carries her speed really well. Dex kept a good tempo, which was why she was able to maintain that down the lane. So, obviously, racing against some bigger and better horses that go a little faster, we’ll see [how she does].”
Megan Scran trains Perfect Thought, a daughter of Perfect Sting-Think Pink owned by Thestable Perfect Thought. The filly bagged her fourth win from six tries and nearly doubled her earnings, which now stand at $206,300.
Perfect Thought paid $3.80 to win.
There were also three $136,986 consolation New Jersey Classic races contested as non-wagering events throughout the night. They were won by two-year-old male trotter Nix Nacken (Scott Zeron) in 1:55 for trainer Marcus Melander, three-year-old male trotter Durante Hanover (Andy McCarthy) in 1:54.1 for Noel Daley and three-year-old trotting filly Delaney Hanover (Scott Zeron) in 1:52.4 for Lucas Wallin.
In the $54,795 fifth leg of the Miss Versatility Series for open mare trotters, Bravo Angel S (Readly Express-Cilla Sisu) blasted away from the gate in :27.1 and led at every call. The five-year-old, driven by Jason Bartlett and trained by Per Engblom, took down 1-5 favourite Elista Hanover (David Miller), who finished third after a first-over trip. Bravo Angel S returned $20.20 to win as the 9-1 fourth choice in the betting after stopping the clock in a lifetime-best 1:51.2. Nelsonbriteagle No (Dexter Dunn) was the runner-up off a two-hole trip.
All-source handle on the 14-race program totalled $2,565,612 USD.
Racing resumes on Saturday at 6:20 p.m.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)