by James Witherite, Meadowlands racing
media
East Rutherford, N.J. -- A trio of
Breeders Crown records were broken or tied on Saturday (October 29) evening at
The Meadowlands, highlighted by Racing Hill’s 1:48 effort in the $500,000 Crown
for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
Brett Miller drove the son of Roll With
Joe to his 12th seasonal victory, shaving three-fifths of a second
off the previous divisional record held by Somebeachsomewhere. Tony Alagna
trains Racing Hill, who also won the Messenger and Adios this year, for
owner-breeder Tom Hill.
Tim Tetrick turned in a pair of stakes
records as part of a natural hat trick on the night, teaming up with Linda
Toscano trainee Walner for a 1:53 win in the $600,000 Crown for 2-year-old
trotting colts and geldings, and Jimmy Takter trainee Bar Hopping for a
record-tying 1:54.1 mile in the $500,000 event for 3-year-old trotting colts
and geldings.
A pair of drivers earned their first
Breeders Crown titles, both in upset fashion. Marcus Miller took the 2-year-old
filly pace with 17-1 shot Someomensomewhere, while Scott Zeron teamed up with
12-1 outsider Call Me Queen Be in the 3-year-old filly pace.
Other Crown winners on the night were
Ariana G (2-year-old filly trot, Gingras/Takter), Huntsville (2-year-old colt
pace, Tetrick/Schnittker), and Broadway Donna (3-year-old filly trot, D.
Miller/Campbell).
In all, the weekend’s 12 Breeders Crown
events attracted a total of $3,954,042, with total all-sources handle for the
weekend coming in at $6,409,792.
Pacing divisions of the final
Kindergarten Classic series preliminary highlighted the Saturday undercard,
each going for $10,000. Eleven 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings contested
the opener, and Chip Walther ($3.60) lived up to his odds-on billing. The son
of Art Major and Bittorsweet Terror sustained a first-over bid for over half a
mile to barely collar Air Strike (David Miller) in 1:51.2, earning a third
consecutive victory in the act. Marcus Miller handled the driving duties for
trainer Erv Miller.
In the filly division, carded as the
night’s finale, Gurl Band K ($6.60) evaded her nine rivals for a 1:52.3 score.
Matt Kakaley drove the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven and Native Flower for
owner Robert Key and trainer Andrew Harris.
Live racing returns to the Big M on
Friday (November 4) evening, with post time slated for 7:15 p.m. Eastern.
