Conditions
were far from ideal on Friday with sporadic rain and the wind blowing a gale
from the east, in their face the second quarter and at their back in the
homestretch. The track condition was listed as sloppy.
The New
Jersey Sires Stakes for three year olds open this weekend and the trotters went
postward on Friday night. Trixton drew into the first of two $21,500 colt
division where he was the heavy favorite off his electrifying 1:51.2 tour de
force in last week’s Simpson Memorial.
Trainer –
driver Jimmy Takter floated Trixton away from the gate and settled in second
behind Dexter Cup winner Sumatra as they passed the quarter in 28.1. Takter
suddenly found himself in an awkward spot when John Campbell brushed Lightning
Force hard for the front with horses following him and cleared Sumatra at the
59.2 half.
It took a
few strides for Takter to extricate Trixton from a pinned position and into the
outer flow as Lightning Force skipped off by a couple but the Meadowlands
stretch is a long one and Trixton collared the leader and drew away to a four
and three quarter length win. The mile was trotted in 1:54.2 with the final
quarter in 27 flat. Lightning Force held the place and King City was third.
Takter
spoke glowingly of the colt post-race and indicated that he would not race in
next week’s second leg but would go in the $100,000 NJSS final a fortnight
hence. The Muscle Hill x Emile Cas El colt is owned by Brixton Medical Ab and
Christina Takter.
In the
second division Well Built overcame the blustery conditions, stayed trotting
and won in 1:56.2 for John Campbell. Settled in mid pack for the first half,
Campbell pulled the right line passing the half, cleared to the front and drew
off with a 27.2 final panel despite drifting in mid-stretch.
Chris
Ryder trains and shares ownership of the Muscle Hill x Working Girl with Bob
Mondillo.
Earlier
in the evening in a non-betting race the first of two $20,500 divisions of NJSS
trotting fillies went behind the gate and My Inspiration took her maiden win
here in 1:56.3 for Yannick Gingras. The Chocolatier filly from Dodger Blues is
trained by Trond Smedshammer for Al Libfeld. Scream And Shout was second with
Fastdownthehill third.
The
second filly division went as race four as conditions steadily worsened.
Moonlight In Miami took this one in 1:55.2 for John Campbell with a strong
stretch rally. Yoga cut the mile and held well for second while Demoiselle
Hanover was third.
The first
two finishers both call the Takter barn home and the winner, a Muscle Hill from
Bedtime Song is owned by the powerful triumvirate of Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld
and Sam Goldband.
Top Class Filly and Mare pacers went to the post in the 11th
race, a $30,000 Free For All Handicap. Shebestingin went to the post as
the 2-5 overwhelming favorite and appeared poised for another victory after
setting fractions of 28-, 55.1 and 1:22.2 at which point she turned for home in
front, but she was collared late by the classy Jerseylicious, who rode the
pocket every step of the way and tripped the timer in 1:50.1. Corey
Callahan guided Jerseylicious to victory for trainer Wayne Given and owners
Legacy Racing of Delaware Inc., Pamela Curran and Niel Gargiulo.
Rocklamation rallied from an impossible spot to be third.
In addition, Drop The Ball got back to her winning ways in
the Filly and Mare B-1/B-2 Handicap pace, moving to the lead approaching the
half-mile pole and drawing clear the rest of the way to an impressive 1:49.1
victory over the sloppy going. Corey Callahan had a daily double of
quality mares tonight.
Racing resumes on Saturday for Roosevelt Raceway Legacy
Night with festivities including appearances and an autograph session from
Roosevelt drivers, television appearances by Dave Johnson and Spencer Ross,
discounted food and beverage items including $1 draft Budweisers and much
more. In addition, the 14-race blockbuster Saturday program includes the
$175,000 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial Final featuring the matchup of Swedish World
Champion Sebastian K fresh off his world record in the elimination and the
American Champion, Market Share. Post time for the Saturday program is
7:15 P.M. Full card simulcasting centers around The Preakness Stakes with
gates opening at a special time of 9:30 A.M. For more information, go to
PlayMeadowlands.Com.
