by James Witherite, Meadowlands racing media
East Rutherford, N.J. -- World record holders took top
billing on Opening Night (October 21) at The Meadowlands, with Always B Miki
($2.20) leading a David Miller grand slam in the evening's $25,000 Open Pace
and Lady Shadow ($3.20) capping a four-bagger for driver Yannick Gingras with a
Breeders Crown elimination win.
Lady Shadow, the world record holder at 1-1/8 miles, settled
just off the pace in her $25,000 Breeders Crown split for older pacing mares
(race 11) before using a bold middle move to take charge through a :54 half
mile. The 5-year-old Shadow Play mare subsequently drew clear of
Bedroomconfessions (Scott Zeron) for a 1:48.4 victory, mounting a 7-3/4 length
margin of victory.
Gingras drove the Ron Adams trainee for his fourth win of
the night after teaming up with Ron Burke trainees Clear Vision ($3.20, 1:49.1)
and Dayson ($2.80, 1:52.2), as well as Andrew Harris trainee Urbanite Hanover
($7.80, 1:49.3).
In the other elimination for distaff pacers (race 7), Frost
Damage Blues ($10.00, Brett Miller) swept to the fore down the grandstand side
in the last yards to finish second, but was elevated to first place after
unofficial winner Solar Sister (Doug McNair) was deemed guilty of interference
to Sassa Hanover in deep stretch.
Miller began his grand slam with victory in the night's
first $20,000 Crown elimination for 2-year-old trotting fillies (race 2),
pulling the pocket with Trond Smedshammer trainee Chezatter ($10.60) in
mid-stretch to reel in 1-5 favorite Ariana G (Gingras) for a 1:53.4 score.
While the daughter of Explosive Matter and Chez Lucie represented the Buckeye's
only Crown elimination win on the evening, he also partnered with mile world
record holder Always B Miki in what amounted to a prep for a showdown with
defending Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit in next week's Breeders Crown
for older pacers.
Always B Miki used a first-over push through the far turn to
capture the evening's Open Pace, pushing clear by four lengths to defeat Dealt
a Winner (Andy Miller) in 1:48. Jimmy Takter trains the 5-year-old Always a
Virgin entire.
Kelvin Harrison trainee Spicebomb ($7.60, 1:50.4) and
Valeriya Medik trainee Exotic Beach completed Miller's grand slam.
Thats All Moni ($5.60) and Tim Tetrick took the other
elimination for freshman fillies (race 4), dueling down Treviso (Charlie
Norris) in 1:54.1.
