Leg 2 of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotters will take place this Friday night (May 27) at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The number of races mirrors Leg 1, as there will be a pair of filly divisions and a single colt contest, but the players have changed significantly.
The winners of all three of the opening-leg races will remain in the barn this week, as their spots in next week’s finals are secure.
The first $20,000 division for the ladies has been carded as Race 2 and will feature a field of six. Hillosophical has been steadily improving for Valeriya Medik. She took a giant leap forward in her race last week, as she trotted in 1:54.4 and finished second at odds of over 100-1. She won’t have to deal with the Garden State’s top filly this week, All The Time, and that alone may land her in the winner’s circle for owner Green Acquisition Corporation. Andy Miller has the drive.
Southwind Hope appears to be the filly to beat in Division 2 (Race 4). She did all the hard work in last week’s race. She led until the final stride when Wildflower stuck her head in front just in time for the win in 1:55. Southwind Hope has two wins and hasn’t missed the board in her five seasonal outings this year while banking more than $37,000 for Andy Miller Stable, Little E, LLC and Lawrence Dumain. Andy will drive and Julie Miller is the trainer.
The seven (of nine) colts back from the first leg will advance at least three places in the order of finish in the $25,000 sixth race as the top three finishers from that race – Southwind Frank, Brooklyn Hill, Bar Hopping – are absent from Leg 2. That leaves Double L Lindy as the returning leader off of a solid fourth after having survived a long first-over bid last week (he was beaten five lengths and was five in front of the rest of the field). Unraced at two, Double L Lindy races out of the Ake Svanstedt barn for owners Lindy Farms, Joe Sbrocco and Paul Van Camp and Little E. Steve Smith has the drive on him.
The Friday offering begins at 7:15 p.m. with $226,527 in the Super Hi-5 Jackpot pool to open the weekend.
(With files from the Meadowlands)