East Rutherford, N.J. – After a
traffic-troubled Breeders Crown elimination two weeks ago, Lindy Farms’ Imagine
Dragon ($8.00) used a sustained middle move to take charge amid a fast pace
before edging away to a 1:50.4 victory in Friday (November 4) evening’s $17,500
top-level distaff pace at The Meadowlands.
The 4-year-old Dragon Again mare
slipstreamed the live cover of 8-5 favorite Icommandmyspirit (Corey Callahan)
on approach to the backstretch before continuing her push to the fore into a
:54 first half mile. From that point, Imagine Dragon repelled a mild first-over
challenge from Exhilarated (Scott Zeron) before accelerating away off the far
turn. Ultimately, Imagine Dragon used a :27.4 closing sectional to evade the
late-emerging Lyons River Pride (Steve Smith) by 2-1/4 lengths, while
Icommandmyspirit held third while one-paced from the pocket.
“It’s really nice to see Imagine Dragon
continue in top form after having no luck in her Breeders Crown
elimination," said trainer Frank Antonacci of the eight-time winner.
“Unfortunately, she tied up badly in the beginning of the season, and that kept
her from reaching her real potential this year. It’s nice to see her come
around now.”
For driver Andy McCarthy, the featured
win was one of three on the night—he also teamed up with Kona Kid ($7.00,
1:53.2) and Stitch in Time ($28.20, 1:56) to lead all drivers.
The evening’s trotting feature, a
$15,000 conditioned event, saw Lady’s Dude ($9.40) take advantage of a pocket
trip behind odds-on favorite Rock of Cashel and vault clear after a mid-stretch
move, drawing off decisively by 5-1/4 lengths en route to a 1:52.2 victory. Jim
Marohn, Jr. drove the 5-year-old Victory Sam gelding for trainer Ron Burke.
Rock of Cashel (Scott Zeron) just held second from the ground-saving Aldebaran
Eagle (McCarthy), who saved third once room availed in deep stretch.
The C.K.G. Billings series for amateur
drivers made a stop at the Big M in the night’s first event, and Sky Hanover ($2.80)
proved dominant following her sweeping four-wide move off the far turn to put
eight lengths on the field. Sarah Svanstedt drove the 4-year-old Donato Hanover
mare to a 1:55.4 victory for trainer Åke Svanstedt.
Total all-sources handle for the 12-race
card was $2,185,999.
Live racing returns to The Meadowlands
on Saturday (November 5) evening, with a quartet of Kindergarten Classic finals
headlining the 13-race card. Post time is 7:15 p.m. Eastern.
