Both favorites romp to easy series sweeping wins.
“Cruze is the King.”
That was the call from announcer Ken Warkentin that echoed through The
Meadowlands as JL Cruze powered to another compelling victory. Tonight’s victory in the $59,800 Shiaway St.
Pat Final complete a winter trotting series sweep at The Meadowlands for the
four year old son of Crazed. The victory
was the eighth of the season for JL Cruze, bringing his 2015 earnings to
$126,410.
Partnered with his stablemate Razor Ramone, JL Cruze was
the 1/9 prohibitive favorite in the Shiaway St. Pat Final. Taken off the gate just a bit by John
Campbell, JL Cruze settled mid-pack early in the mile, while Opulent Yankee
went to the lead and reached the first quarter in 28.2. The instant the trotters straighted up with
the strong wins at their backs on the backstretch, JL Cruze launched his bid
for the lead and quickly cleared the front before the half-mile of 56.3. From there, the race was over as JL Cruze
sailed through three-quarters in 1:24.1 under no pressure and he was never asked
in the stretch to score an authoritative win in 1:52.3.
According to trainer Eric Ell, JL Cruze will contest the
final two legs of the Bobby Weiss trotting series at Pocono Downs before
setting his sights on The Graduate series for four year old open trotters.
JL Cruze is owned by W Kenneth Wood, W J Dittmar Jr and S J
Iaquinta.
In the $59,000 Clyde Hirt Final, Rockeyed Optimist was as
advertised, winning decisively in 1:50.
Driven to victory by Tim Tetrick, Rockeyed Optimist sat third through
the first quarter which was reached in 27-seconds by his stable mate, Rock
Out. As the field straightened away down
the backstretch, Rockeyed Optimist made his move for the lead and cleared
before the half-mile in 54.1. Around the
far turn he received a challenge from Caviart Luca, who reached the leader’s
wheel through three-quarters of 1:22.2, but Rockeyed Optimist promptly
dismissed that challenge and leveled off to win impressively again.
Rockeyed Optimist is eligible to The Graduate series for
trainer Steve Elliot and owners Perretti, Berkner, Battaglia and A&B
Stable.
The driving star of the night was Scott Zeron, who won five
races, including the $25,000 Dash For The “G” Notes Final with Grab Your Keys.
The Jackpot Super Hi-5 Carryover in the fifth race grew to
$64,065 as multiple winning tickets connected on that wager this evening. The carryover in the last race Jackpot Super
Hi-5 is now $29,735 with no winning tickets selecting the correct order of finish.
Racing resumes on Friday, April 4th, with first
post time at 7:15 P.M.
