The second leg of the New Jersey Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacers fields one $25,000 division each of fillies and colts at The Meadowlands on Saturday night. The top 10 from the two elimination legs will race in the $100,000 finals on Saturday, May 30.
Race 5 will feature a field of 10 pacing fillies and will include the 2014 NJSS freshman filly final winner, Stacia Hanover. The Western Ideal lass swept through both legs and the final last season, which was the highlight of her abbreviated five-race campaign. After a few conditioning starts this season against older competitors, ‘Stacia’ rallied from well back to finish second behind Happiness in last week's first NJSS leg – she paced her final quarter in :26 seconds for the second consecutive race. Driver Scott Zeron has employed an off-the-pace style exclusively with Stacia Hanover and will have to fashion a trip from Post 9 on Saturday. Steve Elliott trains the filly for owners David Van Dusen and Michael Cimaglio.
The colts will take the stage in the very next race, as a field of 11 is set to compete. Hurrikane Ali has been named the 2-1 morning line favourite. Hurrikane Ali lowered his record to 1:50 over a deteriorating surface last week, and driver Yannick Gingras didn’t have to ask him for pace in the mile. Lightly-raced at two, the Rocknroll Hanover colt has won both starts this season for ‘trainers McDermott’ – John Sr. and John Jr. – and owners Kuhen Racing, Jonathan Klee, Dr. Ken Rucker and Robert Pucila.
There is a carryover of $124,509 in the Race 5 Jackpot Super High 5 and $96,746 in the last-race Jackpot Super High 5 as the live racing weekend begins on Friday night.
BELMONT STAKES TRIP GIVEAWAY
With the eyes of the racing world fixed upon American Pharoah and his quest for Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, the Meadowlands is going to give one of its fans a trip of a lifetime. Fans visiting the Meadowlands during live racing can enter to win a VIP trip to the Belmont Stakes. The prize package includes clubhouse seating for four, dining in the Marquee Tent, and a parking pass. The winner will be drawn May 29. Fans must be present to win the grand prize.
The Meadowlands’ 13-race Saturday card begins at 7:15 p.m.
(With files from the Meadowlands)