Three divisions of the Kindergarten Pacing Series will headline this Saturday night’s (September 10) program of live racing at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Trainer John Butenschoen will send out the morning line choice in each of two divisions for pacing colts and geldings in Cougar Bait (Race 2) and Harry Terror (Race 3). Beyond being barn mates, the similarities in the pair are bordering on the bizarre. Both are gelded sons of Western Terror, both sold for $20,000 at auction last fall, and they are currently third and fourth in the Kindergarten point standings.
Cougar Bait has won three of seven this season, including a 1:51.4 personal record in the Vernon Downs leg of the series. Marcus Miller has the drive on Cougar Bait from Post 4 in the second race for owners Harmony Oaks, Jeremy Day, Tangie Massey and VIP Internet Stables.
Butenschoen comes right back in the third with Harry Terror, whose lone career win was a surprise 1:52.3 score in an overnight at the Meadowlands. ‘Harry’ is reunited with his driver on that occasion, Jimmy Marohn Jr., from Post 3 on Saturday for owners William Wiswell and VIP Internet.
The fillies will race in a single division (Race 5). Ameraway is a slight favourite off the strength of her 1:53 Kindergarten win at Vernon a few weeks ago. Marcus Miller will drive the daughter of American Ideal from Post 2 for father Erv who trains and owns the filly with Paymaq Racing, Tangie Massey and Neil Cumsky.
The $150,000e Kindergarten finals will be raced at the Meadowlands on November 5.
Along with the 13-race program, Meadowlands fans attending live may participate in the Tri-State Food Truck Mash-Up. First-race post time is 7:15 p.m.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)