by Ray Cotolo, for The Meadowlands
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Nancy Takter trainee Manchego asserted her divisional dominance once more with a 1:51 stroll in the third $40,000 preliminary of the Miss Versatility on Saturday (July 18) at The Meadowlands.
Driver Dexter Dunn eased the 1-9 favorite off the gate as a pair of Svanstedt trainees — Felicityshagwell S and Beautiful Sin — left for the front. Manchego landed in fourth and promptly angled off the pylons entering the backstretch, marching uncovered towards Felicityshagwell S and sliding past to lead the field after a :55.1 half.
Into the final turn, Beautiful Sin vacated the pylons and rushed to race alongside Manchego moving to three-quarters in 1:23.1. Beautiful Sin continued to pressure Manchego straightening for the finish, but began to stall as Manchego extended her lead on the competition within a matter of strides. Kenziesky Hanover rallied down the center of the track quickly enough to snag second, 3-1/2 lengths behind Manchego, while Plunge Blue Chip charged from last to beat Felicityshagwell S — who gave chase to Manchego from the pylons — in a photo for third.
“She felt really good,” Dunn said after the race. “She’s got some real acceleration for a trotter.”
A 5-year-old Muscle Hill mare bred by Brittany Farms LLC and owned by Black Horse Racing, Manchego collected her third victory from four starts this season and her 30th from 47 overall. The 2018 Hambletonian Oaks champion has banked $2,217,705.
Manchego paid $2.10 to win.
