On a perfect
morning in New Jersey, an All Star cast put on quite a show at The Meadowlands
in 17 qualifying races. The rule of the day was a relaxed first half with fast
final quarter sprints.
The day began
with the "Jonas Czernyson Show", as the popular trainer signaled
his return from Florida with a bevy of lovely ladies winning the first four
races. Mistery Woman, Thistle Dhu, Deja Vu Too and D'Orsay sent Team Czernyson
back to their base smiling after a perfect start to 2013.
Dontyouforgetit
sharpened up for next week's Grand Circuit stop at Freehold in the Dexter Cup
for Jimmy Takter with an effortless 1:57.1, home in 27.2 score.
Older trotters lined up
for race 7 on the day and Quick Deal was looking to find the form that won the
Horse & Groom series for him after recent struggles with a clean start.
Away trotting, he set the fractions and gave way grudgingly late to Real Babe
and My MVP in 1:54.2 / 27.1 on the end.
Sweet Lou took
another giant step toward his return to the races, sitting a pocket to Mel
Mara through slow numbers before ripping home in 25.4 on the end of a 1:51.3
win over the pacesetter. Making her return and staying for third
was the accomplished pacing mare Drop The Ball.
Driver Yannick Gingras
was dutifully impressed with the effort and the anticipation of the return
of 2012's top three year olds continues to build toward the FFA ranks
this year.
I Luv The Nitelife had her hooves full to get by the stubborn
Give Me An Amen, but she did in 1:53.2, home in 26.2 for her second qualifying
win of the year.
Odds On Equuleus has drawn the eye of many watching for his return after a
carefully considered freshman campaign and certainly looked like a
contender in his first prep. Raced on the lead by John Campbell through
pedestrian fractions, OOE dashed home in a flat 26 to hold Dedi's Dragon safe
by a diminishing neck margin, mile in 1:52.4.
Both
2012 freshmen pacing Breeders Crown winners were on the card. Filly
Somwherovrarainbow cruised along on the lead to an easy 1:52.4 / 26.4 win.
Rockin Amadeus also set the pace in his 1:51.3 / 26.2 effort, though he was
pushed to the limit by Johny Rock. Both winners were making their third
qualifying appearance of the new season.
Captaintreacherous was embarking on his sophomore campaign this morning and
handled his assignment as expected, looking the part of defending Pacer of the
Year. He coasted along for Tim Tetrick through the "Groundhog
Day" like 28, 57, 1:25 and change numbers with a 26.2 kicker with
energy in reserve to hold off Teresa's Beach by a comfortable margin.
JK's Black Beauty made just a pair of starts during her freshman season,
winning both. With today's effort she signaled that she may have a leading
role in the sophomore filly pace marquee events this season. She was well in
hand to Brian Sears through a 26.3 close to her 1:52.2 mile.
The
pièce de résistance of the day was held until the very end, race 17. Top older
pacer Golden Receiver returned to his favorite venue after a few weeks away and
was absolutely devastating in a front stepping 1:49.3, home
in 25.4 win for Tetrick. Major Bombay and Hurricane King Cole followed him
home, with the latter posting a 25.2 closing panel.
All
of the results and video of the day's events are available to you on The Meadowlands website.
