Trotter trained by Eric Ell heads second of two
divisions on Friday, March 13
By Justin Horowitz for Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (March
11, 2015) – With wins already in the
Super Bowl and Charles Singer Memorial, JL Cruze begins his quest for a third
straight winter series win Friday (March 13) in the opening round of the
Shiaway St. Pat, honoring the 1981 Hambletonian champion, at Meadowlands Racing
& Entertainment.
Thirteen trotters were
entered for Friday’s first round. JL Cruze is the 6/5 morning line favorite in
the second of two divisions, which will go as the twelfth race on the 13-race
card. The thirteenth race features a $161,277 carryover in the Jackpot Super
High 5.
JL Cruze was purchased for
$37,000 at last fall’s Harrisburg Mixed Sale by Mid-Atlantic based trainer Eric
Ell for owners Kenneth Wood, Bill Dittmar, Jr., and Stephen Iaquinta. In the 10
starts with Ell, JL Cruze has earned $87,760 with seven wins and two runner-up
finishes.
“Originally, we just wanted a
horse to race up through his conditions in Delaware, but he has been a blessing
in disguise,” explained Ell. “He just does it so easily and it looks like he’s
the one to beat again heading into this series.”
The 55-year-old Ell has
trained more than 1,100 winners with more than $14 million in earnings during
his career. Always humble and gracious, Ell admits he has had many solid
racehorses during his career. He describes his biggest win as the 2011 Maxie
Lee at Harrah’s Philadelphia with Anders Bluestone, who would go on to earn
more than $1 million.
“[JL Cruze] just might be one
of the best we’ve had,” admitted Ell. “If he keeps improving like he has, you
never know.”
Hall of Famer John Campbell
will take his usual seat behind JL Cruze on Friday.
Ell will also be represented
in the Shiaway St. Pat with another exciting prospect; Razor Ramone brings a
five-race winning streak into the first division and will be driven Friday for
the first time by Hall of Famer David Miller. Ell purchased the son of Kadabra
out of Canada last September. Like JL Cruze, he’s owned by Iaquinta and
Dittmar.
“He can trot a lot, but not
quite like JL Cruze yet,” said Ell. “He’s good on a five-eighths mile track,
but I’m not sure if the big track at the Meadowlands will help. He’s a stocky
built, ‘Mighty Mouse’ type of horse. His qualifier last week was a good
tightener and we’re looking forward to seeing how he races on Friday.”
Holloway Provides Update
on star pacing mares
Trainer Joe Holloway’s
Somwherovrarainbow headlines a field of eight in Friday’s $30,000 Fillies and
Mares Open Pace.
The 2012 champion 2-year-old
pacing filly has raced only once this year, an easy win in January at the
Meadowlands.
“I needed to see if she would
return to her good form this year and so far it looks like she has,” said
Holloway. “I expect her to race like herself on Friday and continue after
that.”
Holloway said the plan is to
race Somwherovrarainbow in the Blue Chip Matchmaker at Yonkers Raceway.
Holloway also reported that
his other star mare, world champion Shebestingin, has been retired from racing
and is scheduled to be bred to Captaintreacherous.
Mare Open Trot Written for
Friday
A new class has been added to
the Friday condition sheet. A Mare Open Handicap Trot for a purse of $27,500 -
$30,000 is listed in the hope that enough top trotting mares enter to fill
the class.
