EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (January 8, 2016) - The $25,000
Open I Handicap Trot was the featured event on the Friday night program at The
Meadowlands.
A highly competitive field of nine went to the gate, with Lindy’s
Tru Grit a slight 2-1 favorite at post time.
There was plenty of speed off the gate as Uva Hanover, Opulent
Yankee and Somebody As all left for position. Only two of those remained
trotting after the first quarter as Opulent Yankee went off-stride on the first
turn. Somebody As grabbed the racetrack through a 26.4 sharp opening
quarter. Uva Hanover was content to sit the pocket behind the leader
through a 55.2 half mile. On the far turn, Lindy’s Tru Grit, who was
stalking the leaders made his move for the lead, which he reached past
three-quarters in 1:24. It was his race to lose in the stretch, but Uva
Hanover was guided off the pylons and began to reel in the favorite. Uva
Hanover took over in mid-stretch and powered away to a sharp two length score
in a lifetime best 1:52.2. Lindy’s Tru Grit remained second with Can Do
rallying well to finish third.
The win was the 14th for Uva Hanover, whose earnings
are approaching $350,000 lifetime. He is trained by Linday Toscano for
Stake Your Claim Stable and Martin Sternberg. Fresh from his trip to
Australia, Tim Tetrick guided the five year old gelded son of Cantab Hall to
the victory.
March Awareness Upsets Open II Trot
A tepid pace and a pocket trip resulted in a 9-1 upset for March
Awareness in the supporting feature on Friday night at The Meadowlands.
Allowed to sit behind the lone-leader. Lauderdale who wheeled off fractions of
28.1, 57.3 and 1.26.4, March Awareness slingshot by in deep stretch to score in
1:55 for Yannick Gingras.
The win was the 19th in the career of March Awareness
with earnings of $219,740. He is trained by Ron Burke, who co-owns the
six year old gelded son of Ken Warkentin with Weaver Bruscemi L.L.C.
Team Orange Crush Pairs Up
Andy and Julie Miller teamed up to score a pair of trotting wins
early on the card at The Meadowlands on Friday night with Magenta Man and
Allerage Star.
Magenta Man scored in a non-winners of two condition event in a
lifetime best 1:55.4, while Allerage Star did not disappoint as the 2-1
favorite from post 10 in a non-winners of six trotting event.
Both trotters are owned in part by Jeff Gural’s Little E L.L.C.
After sweeping the late daily double, Yannick Gingras bagged
four winners on the card. Jim Marohn Jr., Andy Miller and Trond Smedshammer
each won a pair.
Total handle on the 14-race program was $2,879,881.
Racing returns on Saturday, with first post time at 6:35
P.M.
Darin Zoccali
