by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ
– My
Happiness E P emerged from a tough spot before exploding home in the stretch to
take the featured $40,000 fifth leg of the Miss Versatility for free for all
trotting mares at the Meadowlands Friday night, kicking off the track’s
abbreviated two-week September racing schedule.
The 8-year-old daughter of Credit Winner
came back from more two months on the shelf to score in a conditioned event on
September 3 at Pocono Downs, which prepared her to take on a tough Big M field
that included 2-1 second choice Jewels In Hock, who had raced well against
division giant Hannelore Hanover in her three previous starts.
The post time favorite, 6-5 chance
Charmed Life, reached the lead in :28 and was permitted to march on the front
end through fractions of :56 and 1:23.2. Charmed Life was clear by a length and
half at the head of the stretch, but My Happiness E P, who appeared to have no
shot racing in fifth at three-quarters in a dull second-over flow, tipped off
cover and sprinted home in :27 to get up by a head in a lifetime-best 1:51.3.
Barn Doll got up for second with Charmed Life hanging on for third.
My Happiness E P, the 5-1 fourth choice
in the wagering, paid $12.80 in winning for the second time this year in seven
starts for driver Andrew McCarthy, trainer Ake Svanstedt and owners Pal
Granlund and Thomas Grini.
HOT HAND ANDY: Andy Miller led the
driver colony with four winners on the program, among them 2-year-old colt
trotter Fly On, who scored in 1:56 in the third leg of the Kindergarten Classic
for freshmen colts and geldings. … Racing resumes at the Big M Saturday at 7:15
p.m.
