By
Dave Little, for the Meadowlands
EAST
RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Showing no rust after a six-month layoff, Resolve went
parked for the final half-mile on the way to a determined win in the $200,000
Arthur J. Cutler Memorial for trotters at the Meadowlands Saturday night.
“He
raced well,” understated trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt. “He was a little bit
lazy but he was strong.”
Indeed.
Resolve
($3.60 to win as the 4-5 favorite), who won four-of-13 a year ago while earning
$1.2 million, was unhurried in the early going and got underway at the
five-eighths after sitting fifth. The 6-year-old son of Muscle Hill went on a
steady grind and got up to leader Crazy Wow’s wheel nearing the head of the
stretch.
From
there, Svanstedt’s star pupil continued to gain steadily, forging to the front
inside the sixteenth pole before going on to a 1-length win in 2:06.3 for the
mile and an eighth distance. Crazy Wow held second with J L Cruze third.
In
the winner’s circle, Svanstedt accepted an invitation for Resolve to
participate in the May 28 Elitlopp at Solvalla, Sweden, a race in which he
finished second a year ago.
SINTRA-LATING!:
Toronto invader Sintra destroyed five overmatched opponents in the first
division of the first leg of the Graduate Series for 4-year-old pacers. The
gelded son of Mach Three sat in the five hole early before vacating the rail at
the three-eighths, then sprinted up to engage leader Roll Away Joe. Sintra
($3.20 as the 3-5 public choice) then powered clear of the field on the way to
a 6-length win in a lifetime-best 1:49.1 for driver Brett Miller and trainer
David Menary. Western Fame was second with Awesomeness third.
“Hopefully,
we are just getting started here,” said Menary, who indicated Sintra will be
seen next in the May 14 Confederation Cup.
Check
Six never had an anxious moment in the second Graduate division, winning in
wire-to-wire fashion for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke. The son
of Somebeachsomewhere hit the quarter and half in tepid fractions of :27.4 and
:55.4, respectively, which left plenty in the tank as the flow did not develop
until the five-eighths.
After
stopping the clock in 1:23 at three-quarters, Check Six ($8.00) sprinted home
in :26.3 to complete the mile in a lifetime-best 1:49.3. Boston Red Rocks was a
length back in second while 3-5 favorite Missile J, who had live cover
approaching the top of the stretch, went evenly from there for third.
“I
was really happy with his effort,” said Burke. “He’s a very good horse. I don’t
know if he’s a great horse but hopefully he’s one of those that gets better
with age.”
A
LITTLE MORE: All-source wagering totaled $2,805,426. … Racing resumes
Friday at 7:15 p.m.
