by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ
– All
systems appear to be go for early Hambletonian favorite Southwind Frank, who
marched to an easy 2½-length win in his first start as a 3-year-old in a
division of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for trotting colts and geldings Friday
night at the Meadowlands.
“He was Frank,” said
winning trainer Ron Burke. “He couldn’t have been any better. It’s what we
expect from him.”
The son of Muscle Hill
was unhurried early, and made his way to the top shortly after vacating the
four hole at the three-eighths after an opening quarter of :27.4.
Meeting little in the
way of resistance, driver Yannick Gingras was able to relax his colt and cut
moderate fractions of :57 and 1:25 before kicking home in :27.1 to win going
away in a lifetime-best 1:52.1. Brooklyn Hill was second while Bar Hopping
finished third.
As the 1-9 public
choice, Southwind Frank, who is now 12-for-13 lifetime, returned $2.20 to win
for owners Southwind Frank Partners.
Earlier on the card, All
The Time ($2.10), a major Hambletonian Oaks contender, crushed seven
overmatched foes by 7¼-lengths in a division of the NJSS for 3-year-old
trotting fillies in 1:53.2, a lifetime mark. Hillosophical was second with
Southwind Pearl third.
Once again, it was
Gingras calling the shots, but this time it was with a Jimmy Takter trainee.
The 2015 Breeders Crown champion has now won eight of 13 lifetime starts for
owners Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld.
STILL GROWING: The 12th race
20 cent Jackpot Super High Five, which has not been hit the entire meeting,
failed to have a single-ticket winner again, upping the carryover to $226,527.68
for the next card. … All-source wagering on the program totaled $2,693,370. …
Rose Run Parker ($10.40) held off 3-5 favorite Obrigado to win the $25,000 open
handicap trot in a lifetime-best 1:50.4. … The Big M is back with live racing
Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
