But the series turned out to be a showcase for the Australian-bred Imposter A. The 9 year old altered son of Fake Left won all three of his preliminary legs and kept his seasonal win- streak alive when Mike Forte used a first-over trip to wear down the leaders and hold off a late rally by the veteran Doug’s Boy and driver Alan Schwartz to score a length triumph. Scoot For Glory was third for Jason Bartlett.
“My horse likes to be on the front-end but Jason (Bartlett with Scoot For Glory) grabbed the lead so quickly that I had no choice other than to take a seat,” Forte related. “Luckily Jason set quick fractions which I knew would help us since I figured my horse would finish strong; which he did. But it wasn’t until the final 100 yards that Jason’s horse let go and when he did we swept to victory.”
Elisha Lafreniere trains the winner for C & F Asssociates from Hillsdale, NJ. Imposter A paid $3.10 for win.
The fillies and mares finale proved to be a boon for owner- trainer, Eric Taddeo, when his two- horse entry of Jessalilmixup and Admiral’s Chance finished first and second in the event and he took home three-quarters of the $5600 purse.
Taddeo, a NYC Fireman and an avid amateur driver, handed the lines to veterans Stephane Bouchard and Kyle DiBenedetto and was content to play the owners role.
DiBenedetto, with Admiral’s Chance, took command from Bouchard and Jessalilmixup before the quarter mile timer flashed :29.1. Taddeo’s tandem then raced one-two around the track and in the stretch Jessalilmixup, an 8 year old daughter of Little Steven, rallied up the inside to nail Admiral Chance by a neck. Third place went to Space Chalet who was in rein to Alan Schwartz.
The Taddeo stable entry paid $3.80 for win.
The Macedonio Series Consolation went to Major League and driver Jimmy Devaux. The Pacific Fella 8- year-old gelding is owned by Rosemarie Moore and trained by her husband Paul Moore. The pacer returned a $15.00 mutuel payoff.
