East Rutherford, NJ – As the beginning of the
"Championship Meet" on May 7 draws near more of trotting's elite are
embarking on their racing season. The marquee match-up on Friday night at The
Meadowlands pits 2015 Trotter of the Year JL Cruze against multiple Dan Patch
award winning mare Shake It Cerry in a $25,000 Open Handicap trot. These two
finished just a nose apart in a 1:49.4 world and track record in last season’s
Graduate Final over this same mile oval nine months ago.
Shake
It Cerry is making her first start of the year off a winning 1:55
qualifier last week. The champion daughter of Donato Hanover is closing in
on $2.5 million in career earnings for owner Solveig’s Racing Partners and
trainer Jimmy Takter. She finished 2015 strong with a convincing win over top
mares in the $200,000 TVG FFA Championship final for David Miller, who will
drive on Friday.
JL
Cruze returned in good form following his winter hiatus and has won
both of his 2016 outings including a 1:53 score here two weeks ago. It was a Cinderella
season in 2015 for owners Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar, Jr and Steve Iaquinta who got
way more than they bargained for when trainer Eric Ell brought JL Cruze home
from the Harrisburg mixed sale for $30,000. He’ll again be driven by John
Campbell, who played a large role in the many successes of last year.
Both
trotters are preparing for the inaugural edition of the Mack Lobell Elitlopp Playoff scheduled for a
special Mother’s Day matinee card on May 8.
The
Meadowlands will be giving away tickets to the Monster Jam in Mat Life
stadium later this month and you can enter to win a Kentucky Derby trip as well.
It was announced
yesterday registration is now open for the "Championship Meet Survivor Challenge". Top
prize is $2,000 and a seat in the 2017 World Harness Handicapping Challenge.
We’ve
got action and lots of it this weekend at The Meadowlands. Post time is 7:15 p.m.
