A trotting series for older horses memorializing Shiaway St Pat, the winner of the very first Hambletonian conducted at the Meadowlands Racetrack back in 1981, will kick off this Friday night (April 6) over the same New Jersey raceway.
The first leg of the series will feature a pair of $15,000 divisions. The dashes have been carded as Races 2 and 4 on the 10-dash program. ‘Team Miller,’ trainer Julie and driver/husband Andy, will send forth a pair of contenders in Opulent Yankee and Sutton.
Opulent Yankee has been a model of consistency for owners Little E, LLC, Dave Stolz and Artie Geiger. He has earned more than $400,000 on the strength of 22 wins and 59 on-the-board finishes from 86 career starts. The seven-year-old has won four of his five starts this season and is heading into the series in stellar form. He is scheduled to start from Post 2 in the first division.
Sutton was a major contender in the top Grand Circuit sophomore stakes of 2016. Among his performances that season was a hard-charging third, beaten a mere neck, in the Hambletonian final. Unfortunately, he missed the entirety of the 2017 season. Just now on the comeback trail, Sutton has a pair of qualifiers under his belt, including a 1:54 win in his most recent effort. He'll be heard from in Race 4, as he is eager to get his racing career back on track for owners Andy Miller Stable and Jason and Douglas Allen. Sutton is scheduled to start from Post 2.
All wager guarantees will be available during the program. Free program pages for the Late Pick 4 and Super Hi-5 Jackpot (now at an enticing $172,812) are available on the Meadowlands’ website, as are Dave Brower's race reviews.
Post time for the card is 7:15 p.m.
(With files from the Meadowlands Racetrack)