East Rutherford, NJ – Conditions were perfect at The Meadowlands this morning for the
weekly qualifiers with clear skies, no wind and temperatures in the 60’s at go
time.
Last year’s top freshman
colt Southwind Frank made his second appearance of the spring and was an easy
154 / 27 winner for Gingras. Settled third through the 29 opening quarter,
Southwind Frank was moved to the front and set the balance of the fractions
while finishing well within himself a few lengths in advance of Jack Vernon and
Brooklyn Hill. Friday’s New Jersey Sires Stakes (NJSS) are a logical starting
point for Southwind Frank who became the fastest two-year-old colt trotter ever
with his 1:52.2 win at The Red Mile last fall and is the heavy winter book
favorite for the 2016 Hambletonian. He is trained by Ron Burke on behalf of his
Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Our Horse Cents Stable and J&T Silva
Stable.
The top two trotting
fillies of last season met in the opener and went to the wire together with Dan
Patch 2YO filly of the year Broadway Donna (Dave Miller) just getting up to
nail Breeders Crown winner All The Time (Y. Gingras) by an inch in 1:55.2. The
pair sat third and fourth until the top of the stretch when All The Time rose
up to challenge mile cutter Seaside Illusion with Broadway Donna following her
cover then fanning off as they trotted home as a team in sub :27 last quarters.
Both are homebreds, All The Time races from the Jimmy Takter barn for
owner/breeders Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld while Broadway Donna is trained by
Jim Campbell on behalf of Jules Siegel’s Fashion Farms.
It’s shaping up to be a
fun season for the sophomore pacing colts as a few division leaders impressed
the small but faithful legion of spectators this morning.
Boston Red Rocks looks
like he’s ready to defend his Dan Patch title with a 1:51 / 26.1 airing out for
Tim Tetrick. He set the pace through a comfortable :57 half then took off,
widening his margin as Tetrick pleased. Boston Red Rocks is an imposing
presence on the track, tall and regal looking…and fast! Steve Elliott trains
the NJSS eligible for Peter Blood and Rick Berks.
American Passport served
notice that he’ll have to be dealt with this season, blasting home in 25.4 of a
1:51.3 mile with Scott Zeron a statue in the sulky. He sat a pocket to Katie’s
Rocker, ripped out as they straightened up and was eager through the stretch.
To Katie’s Rocker’s credit, he held well for second in his first seasonal
appearance. Brittany Farms, Riverview Racing, Jodi Siamis and trainer Tony
Alagna own the winner.
Talk Show looked really
good today as well. He showed flashes last season, battling the best colts but
was often difficult to manage and wound up in the wrong spot a lot. After some
tutelage at the Steve Elliott winter camp for the unruly and a critical change
or two, Talk Show was a gentleman this morning for Zeron. He patiently sat a
pocket to Racing Hill and when a seam developed between that one and the first
over Ideal Rocky Talk Show zipped by in hand. He races for the Pegasis
Investment Group, Team S Racing and W. Garofalo.
Crazshana sharpened up
for the Graduate Series with an easy 1:53 / 27.2 win from the pocket for Dave
Miller looking strong through the stretch. 2013 Hambletonian winner Market
Share was out this morning for his second qualifier after a good long rest and
acquitted himself well, setting solid fractions on the lead until Crazshana
slipped past late. The winner is trained in the Jeff Bamond, Jr stable for
Bamond Racing, LLC.
Live racing tonight
resumes tonight at 7:15.
