The very first races using the new racetrack configuration in
front of the brand new Meadowlands Racing &
Entertainment grandstand were the Thursday morning qualifiers. Eight races
in total were highlighted by several stars of the season using the races as a
prep for next week’s opening in the fantastic new facility.
The first qualifier was won by the accomplished older trotter
Blacktuxwhitesocks, driven to a closing win from just off the pace over stable
mate Bluff by his trainer Trond Smedshammer in 1:57-. The career winner of
nearly $900,000 has been owned throughout his career by Wanda Polisseni’s
Purple Haze Stable.
Trond came right back to win the second race with his champion
trotter Arch Madness in a tightner for the upcoming TVG last leg on Opening
Day, November 23 and the $500,000 Final a week later. The old boy has really
found his best form lately, winning the Allerage Farms Open trot elimination at
The Red Mile in a career record equaling 1:50.2 and then the final of that race
a week later. He trotted along on a happy lead this morning through comfortable
fractions tacking a :56 final half and 27.3 last quarter on his 1:54- win. He
is the pride of owners Marc Goldberg and Barry Goldstein’s Willow Pond LLC.
The Kindergarten Trotting Classic final winner Southwind Spirit
knocked the dust off with a 1:57.4 win, home in 28.2 for regular driver Yannick
Gingras. He is one of the leading eligibles for the $430,000e Valley Victory
for the Burke Stable, who owns him in partnership with Weaver & Bruscemi,
LLC and Stable 45.
Pacers came up in race four, with a couple of nice two year old
colts sharpening up for the $500,000e Governor’s Cup. Arthur Blue Chip (Dave
Miller) and Somestarsomewhere (Yannick Gingras) went right to the wire together
in 1:53.3. Watching the pair of talented freshmen battle rekindled memories of
watching their sires, Shadow Play and Somebeachsomewhere, square off in
the 2008 Messenger Stakes.
Miller had Arthur on the lead through conservative numbers and
Yannick wrestled his mount into a four hole before moving first over around the
final bend. Both were willing through the sprint home.
Dr. Ian Moore trains Arthur Blue Chip, owned in partnership with
RG McGroup and Serge Savard. Somestreetsomewhere is conditioned by Ron Burke
for his own interests with Weaver & Bruscemi, M. Yanek and L Karr.
Freshman pacing fillies were next, Gingras and Miller battled to
the wire again with JK Molly (Gingras/Burke for 3 Brother Stable) and
Delightful Dragon (Miller for Noel Daley and the Adam Victor & Son Stable)
in 1:55- /28. Those two debutantes are among the top candidates for the
$400,00e Three Diamonds.
Western Vintage and JK Endofanera paced to the wire together in
1:54.2/28- in a tight finish between two more Governors Cup eligibles. Brian
Sears had JK Endofanera forwardly placed throughout for Ron Burke, who trains
the Art Major colt for the 3 Brothers Stables. Western Vintage was reserved off
the pace and finished strong for Gingras. Perry Soderberg now has a partner in
the good Western Ideal colt in Marvin Katz. Nancy Johansson is the trainer.
The next qualifiers will be on Monday evening with a scheduled
post time of 6:00pm, the box for those will close at 10:00am tomorrow
(Friday). A preview of the new
grandstand will be made available to horsemen with the evening qualifiers of
Thursday, November 23, again at 6:00pm.
More information is available on the Meadowlands Racing &
Entertainment website.
