Entering Friday night, Market Share was winless in four
starts this season. In fact, he was yet to hit the board. But that
all changed in the featured $28,500 Open Handicap Trot at The
Meadowlands. Market Share had his game face on this Friday night, as he
soared around the East Rutherford oval, winning in wire to wire fashion as the
2-1 second choice. Market Share led at every point of call, and trotted a
27.2 final quarter while holding off the fast-closing Handover Belle to win in
1:51.1. The race favorite, Obrigado, trailed for much of the mile and
despite flying home in 26.3, could only manage to finish third.
Both the winner and third place finisher are likely headed
to the John Cashman Memorial on Hambletonian Day. Eliminations (if
necessary) will be contested next Saturday night.
The win was the 26th in the illustrious career of
Market Share, whose earnings surpassed $3.7 Million.
He is owned by Richard Gutnick, William Augustine and the T
L P Stable. He is conditioned by Linda Toscano and was driven to victory
by Tim Tetrick, one of five wins on the 12-race card for Tetrick.
Tetrick also scored in the $28,500 Fillies and Mares Open
Handicap Pace with the Pennsylvania invader, Ooh Bad Shark, who scored an off
the pace win in 1:48.3.
Ooh Bad Shark left for position from post six, but was
quickly trapped along the pylons as Sandbetweenurtoes and Radar Contact vied
for command. In the stretch Ooh Bad Shark was loaded with pace, but had
to wait for racing room before angling out wide and finishing with a flourish
to chase down Radar Contact with a 26.3 final quarter to score in a lifetime
best performance. Longshot Lucy’s Pearl rallied to be third.
The winner is owned by Donna Fedorak and William Wiggins,
who is also the trainer.
The first round of the Kindergarten Trotting Series
commenced on Friday as well. The colts split into three $10,000 divisions
while the fillies contested a pair of $10,000 heats.
On the colt side, Reve Royale, Waitlifter K and Winter
Harbor emerged victorious while Hollywood Hill and Twice Is Right scored in the
filly divisions. Both filly winners are trained by Jimmy Takter and are
eligible to the Jim Doherty Memorial while Waitlifter K and Winter Harbor are
Peter Haughton-eligible.
Brittany Farms had a big night, finding the winner’s circle
three times with Winter Harbor, Propulsion and Twice Is Right.
Rules Of The Road came up with a big effort in a condition
trotting event, dominating a solid group in 1:52.3, a lifetime mark. The
filly is trained by Janice Connor for the Arden Homestead Stable and was driven
by Corey Callahan. She is eligible to the Hambletonian Oaks.
Eliminations will take place next Saturday night.
There was more than one winning ticket in the last race
Jackpot Super Hi-5, therefore that carryover will be $214,272.42 into the 13th
race on Saturday.
The Saturday program will begin at 7:15 P.M. and it features
the $200,000 New Jersey Classic and the $100,000 Miss New Jersey.
