East Rutherford NJ – The
calendar indicates that spring begins on March 20 but snowy conditions led to
an “Inquiry” of that seasonal change at The Meadowlands on Friday night. The
races began in the midst of what would eventually measure out to several inches
of powder.
The $20,000 second leg
of the Shiaway St Pat trotting series drew just eleven entries resulting in a
single division that pit the top pair of winter series trotters, JL Cruze and
Opulent Yankee against one and other for seventh time this season. JL
Cruze held a four to two edge (including both finals) going in and romped to a
1:54 win here providing John Campbell with his third of the evening. Opulent
Yankee was again second best and Sheer Flex third as they head into next week's
$59,800 final. Eric Ell trains the winner for Kenny Wood, Steve Iaquinta and
Bill Dittmar.
The $27,500 Open was
again won by this winter's trotting star Melady’s Monet in another long
uncovered grind for Campbell in 1:54.1.
Away sixth and last from
his outside post, Melady’s Monet sat until the field neared the half with Winds
Of The North enjoying an uncontested lead in 56.4. Campbell eased the 1-5
favorite to the outside slowly working his way up to the lead and
by the 1:26.1 three quarters had gained even terms. Melady’s Monet
went on by willingly and was edging clear to a length margin as they neared the
wire. Winds Of The North held well for the place.
Kevin McDermott trains
the winner for Melady Enterprises LLC of Pompano Beach, FL. It was disclosed by
Swedish representatives last week that Melady’s Monet has been extended an
invitation to compete in the 2015 Elitlopp at Solvalla Racetrack on Sunday, May
31.
The GSY Amateur Series
began with two $8,000 divisions and Peter Kleinhans christened the competition
by driving Majestic Ginger, a mare he recently purchased in partnership with
Colleen Cash, to a win with the greatest of ease. Peter took Majestic
Ginger back and handled her cautiously as the past performance lines indicated
the need for patience. Once she felt set and solid, Peter simply fed her race
track as wide as the four or five path into the stretch as she went by the
field under her own power in 1:58.2.
When interviewed
post-race by Justin Horowitz, a jubilant Kleinhans remarked, “She got great
power. I’m so pleased for her to get a good flat mile in. She’s got a history
of making breaks when clear, so I has concern until she crossed the wire.
“I’m thrilled with the
possibility to race in the series. It’s a great way to get new people interested
in racing. It brought me back to the track, as I bought this horse expressly to
campaign in the series.”
John Mc Dermott, Jr
trains the winner.
Division two of the GSY
came in race twelve and Bob Hechkoff came home a winner with Pounce Hanover in
1:57.3 over Current Crisis and Bob Krivelin. Virgil Morgan trains for
Hechkoff's RBH Ventures.
Racing resumes tomorrow
night at 7:15pm.
