by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST
RUTHERFORD, NJ – For
Scott Zeron, Hambletonian Day might just have been the best one he’s ever had.
The
27-year-old driver guided Marion Marauder to victory in the 91st
Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands
before a crowd of 20,122.
The
winner came first over to grab the lead in the stretch before holding off the
late charge of 2-1 second choice Southwind Frank to win by a nose in 1:51.4.
Marion
Marauder upped his 2016 record to six wins in seven starts and returned $7.00
to win as the third choice in the betting. Sutton finished third. Bar Hopping,
the even-money favorite, led to three-quarters, but faded and finished fifth.
But
Zeron, the Big M’s leading driver, had another huge score on the card.
Shamballa
and Zeron worked out a perfect second-over trip to pull off a surprise in the
US Pacing Championship for Scott’s father, trainer Rick Zeron.
Always
B Miki, the 1-2 favorite, led most of the way, but faded midstretch and
finished fourth. Wiggle It Jiggleit finished second, a length behind Shamballa,
who paid $19.80 and completed the mile in 1:47.1.
A
LOOK AHEAD: What
The Hill emerged late on the scene from off the pace and now assumes the role
of early Hambletonian favorite for 2017 after winning the Peter Haughton
Memorial for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters for driver David Miller and
trainer Ron Burke.
The
Muscle Hill colt paid $18.60 and trotted the mile in 1:54.4.
UP
IN 'TIME': All
The Time tipped off live cover and crushed her foes in the Hambletonian Oaks
for 3-year-old trotting fillies. The Yannick Gingras-driven, Jimmy
Takter-trained daughter of Muscle Hill completed the mile in 1:52.1 and paid
$9.20 to win.
FIVE
MILLION PLUS: All-source
wagering on the program totaled $5,656,698.
Here’s
a quick look at the balance of the major races on the Hambo Day Card, with
winner, driver, trainer, win price and time:
· Shady Daisy (3-year-old
pacing fillies): Darlinonthebeach,
David Miller, Nancy Johansson, $4.80, 1:49.1
· Fresh Yankee (Free For
All trotting mares): Hannelore
Hanover, Gingras, Burke, $2.20, 2:05 (1 1/8 miles)
· Jim Doherty Memorial
(2-year-old trotting fillies): Ariana G, Gingras, Takter, $3.20, 1:53.1
· John Cashman Memorial
(Free For All trotters): Resolve, Ake Svanstedt (driver/trainer), $4.40, 1:50.2
· Cane Pace (3-year-old
pacers): Control
The Moment, Brian Sears, Bradley Maxwell, $3.20, 2:02.4 (1 1/8 miles)
· Vincennes (Invitational
trot): Meladys
Monet, Jason Bartlett, Kevin McDermott, $15.40, 1:51.4
· Lady Liberty (Free For
All mare pacers): Lady
Shadow, Gingras, Ronald Adams, $3.80, 2:03 (1 1/8 miles)
SEE
YOU IN SEPTEMBER: Racing
resumes at the Big M on Friday, September 9.
