by RUS MidAtlantic
(East Rutherford, NJ) – A field of nine trotters will be
facing the starter at the Meadowlands Saturday evening, September 9 as Hyway Marcus
looks to repeat in the $5,000 Bill Weaver Memorial Trot, the second leg of the
RUS MidAtlantic Monte Series which will be contested as a non-wagering event
after the third race on the evening program.
In the first leg of the series, Hyway Marcus won comfortably
in 2:02.1 at Ocean Downs, however four new horses will be joining the fray in
addition to those returning from the August 20 race. This week, the six year old son of Gut
Instinct draws post position four and retains the services of Sash Moczulski as
rider.
Looking to upend the first leg winner is The Franchise which
is making his first purse start of the year after winning his qualifier at
Saratoga back on August 11. The Franchise starts from post position two with
Michelle Crawford looking to score a minor upset.
Also looking to be a threat is Keenan (Maria Buchanan) who
starts from post position seven. Keenan
finished second to Hyway Marcus in his last start and with an earlier move may
be in the thick of things at the wire.
Catalyst (post six, Stephanie Jacobs) finished third in the first leg of
the series but must be respected as it was his first RUS start in two years and
had qualified ten days earlier in 2:01 at Ocean Downs.
Pine Tab (post nine, Helene Gregory) was scratched sick out
of the first leg but qualified in 2:00.1 back on June 12 at Gaitway Farms. Being this is his first RUS purse start of
his career, it will be interesting to see if he can return to his morning
form.
Making his first start of the season is fan favorite Funny
Photo (post five) being ridden by owner Sophie Engerran. With a lifetime record of 13-4-2-3 under
saddle, he is a consistent horse. Last
time at the Meadowlands, Funny Photo was a far back second to Modest Prince in last
year’s RUS America series at the Meadowlands where the North American race
record of 1:56.3 was established.
Also competing Saturday evening are returnees One True
Friend (post one, Hillary Hartnett) and Admirable Hanover (post three, Vanessa
Karlewicz) who are being joined by Mr Protab (post eight, Emma Wahlberg) who
makes his 2017 debut.
The Bill Weaver Memorial Trot is in memory of breeder-owner
William Weaver III who passed away earlier this year. His forte was breeding trotters and he was a
supporter of racing under saddle.
Post time Saturday evening is 7:15 PM.
