Three series got underway tonight at the Meadowlands. The Summer Survivor Series for trotters saw Raven Victory score a decisive victory in 1:55 over the sloppy going. Trained by Linda Toscano, Raven Victory moved to the lead down the backstretch and never looked back, flashing a 27.4 final quarter. The win was his fourth in seven lifetime starts for owners, M Biasuzzi Stable of Pompano Beach Florida.
The first leg of the Cathedra Dot Com for Mares with six or
more starts at Freehold, or classified as a C-2 mare at the Meadowlands got
underway. The first division went to Crown Lady, who was one of four
horses sent off at 7/2 in a wide open betting affair. Crown Lady tracked
cover and needed every inch of the Big M Stretch to wear down Persuasive
Hanover, reaching the wire first in 1:55.2. The winner is owned by Triple
A Stable of Colts Neck, N.J. The second division saw Carolsideal go virtually
wire to wire in 1:52.3 for driver/trainer Jeff Dauplaise and owner, Saddle Rock
Stables of Monroe, N.J.
The Flower Child for trotter kicked off as well, with the
same conditions as the Cathedra Dot Com. The first division was another wire to
wire romp for Schalom G and Tim Tetrick for owner Calvin Furino of Lyndhurst,
N.J. The second division saw T P Lucy storm home to post an 11-1 upset
for owner Louis Portella of Jackson, N.J.
Despite horrendous conditions, the Meadowlands still posted
a 23-percent increase in handle for the Friday night program. Racing
resumes on Saturday, with a much better forecast for Saturday night with first
post time at 7:15 P.M.
