The abbreviated four-date September Meet at the Meadowlands got underway Friday night (September 8) and it was an abbreviated four-horse field that was the night’s spotlight showdown in the $40,000 fourth leg of the Miss Versatility Series.
Millionaire trotting mares Caprice Hill and Broadway Donna faced off against the 1-2 punch of Oho Diamond and PL Jill from trainer Renaldo Morales III.
Track record holder Oho Diamond grabbed the lead while her three opponents were content to follow single file through modest fractions of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:26.
Into the stretch, 1-2 favourite Caprice Hill tipped out of the pocket and trotted past Oho Diamond. But Corey Callahan had PL Jill geared up and trotting up a storm farther outside and the four-year-old Kadabra mare kicked home with a :26.3 final quarter to win in 1:53.1.
PL Jill paid $7 to win. She is owned by Dan Clements of Uxbridge, Ont., and has now won eight times in 33 career starts for earnings of $101,160.
Friday’s card also included eight $10,000 divisions in the Kindergarten Series for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.
The fastest mile of the night was turned in by Im Trigger Happy. The half-sister to millionaires Heston Blue Chip and Sunfire Blue Chip was gapping the field while sitting fifth through the first three-quarters. Into the stretch, Callahan got her into gear. Im Trigger Happy showed greenness while zigging and zagging, but also showed a huge turn of foot to sweep past her competitors and win in an impressive 1:52.2 for her second win from three lifetime starts. Ross Croghan trains the winner for Let It Ride Stable Inc.
Other Kindergarten winners were pacers Points North, Im A Big Deal and Aldine Hanover, and trotters Dab Hanover, Basquiat, Farsetti Hanover and U Need Stones.
Total handle on the 11-race program was $1,704,153.
Live racing continues Saturday with a 12-race card beginning at 7:15 p.m.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)