Aunt
Mel, a daughter of Yankee Glide, had the lead at every call and held on for a
three-length tally in Friday’s fourth race, the single elimination race that
determined the eight finalists. The mile was clocked in 1:57.1.
Finishing
second and third were Chilitodayhotamale [Muscles Yankee] and Riverfest
[Windsong’s Legacy], respectively.
Eight
of the nine starters earned spots in the final on September 7. The only
filly eliminated was Ringside Nguyen, who finished ninth.
Driven
by Brent Holland, Aunt Mel extended her winning streak to three, capturing five
of her last six starts. The Erv Miller trainee, owned by Mary Jane
Anderson of Long Grove, IL, won a Review division and Zweig consolation in her
prior two outings.
She
has now finished in-the-money in 16 of 27 career starts for a bankroll of
$225,845.
The
stakes record of 1:56.3 was established in 2008 by Muscle Shirt, a daughter of
Muscles Yankee, driven by Cat Manzi and trained by Chuck Sylvester.
The
Helen Smith for three-year-old New Jersey-sired trotting fillies is sponsored
by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.
The
Lou Babic for two-year-old New Jersey-sired pacers drew fields of eight in both
the filly and colt divisions and will not need elimination races on
Saturday. Two six-horse preps will be offered for the $106,700 Babic Open
and $68,900 Babic Filly. Bypassing the preps are colts To Beach His Own
and Troon, and fillies Gypsy Cards and Panera Hanover.
--Submitted
by Carol Hodes for the SBOANJ
