On paper, the $83,000 Clyde Hirt Final appeared to be a
wide open race. But on the racetrack, it was anything but. Avatartist,
sent off as the 9-5 favorite, made the early lead in 26.1 prior to yielding to
the pocket. Driver Dave Miller made an aggressive move down the
backstretch, reclaiming the lead past a 53.3 half-mile. The Buckeye threw
down the gauntlet and opened up a commanding lead heading to the top of the
stretch and never had an anxious moment in the stretch winning in a stakes
record 1:50.1. Alexa’s Jackpot rallied very well off dull cover to be
second, while Wake Up Peter came from an impossible spot to be third.
The winner is trained by Tony O’Sullivan for owners William
Hill, Peter Harrisson, Michael Saftic and James Walker. Ironically,
Avatartist is not eligible to the upcoming Whata Baron series which begins
Saturday April 5th, while Alexa’s Jackpot and Wake Up Peter are heading
to that series next.
In the $60,600 Final of The Horse & Groom, it was a
perfect storm for Hldontghttoyurdrms in more ways than one. First, the
3-5 favorite Bambino Glide made a break prior to the start, never to be
involved. At the start, round one winner Amigo Ranger went
off-stride. Next, turning down the backstretch, with Hldontghttoyurdrms
leading through a 27.3 opening quarter, pocket-sitting March Awareness broke
stride, leaving the pace-setter with a six length lead heading to the half. Hldontghttoyurdrms
got that half in 55.4 and three quarters in 1:24.3, while never facing a
challenge and romping to an easy score in 1:53.4 for Canadian based driver
Jonathan Drury. The winner had been a bit disappointing in the first two
rounds of the series, but with the money down, the gelded son of Muscles Yankee
got the job done. He is trained by Corey Johnson for owners Saverio
Spagnolo, Frank Schimizzi and Frank Spagnolo. Longshot Magglio was second with
Crosbys Clam Bake finishing third.
Scott Zeron and Jim Morrill were the Winners in Round 2 of
the Legends vs. Phenoms Drivers Challenge.
Scott Zeron continues to make plenty of noise at The
Meadowlands as he easily led the Phenoms from gate to wire to win the second
leg of the Driver Challenge with 85 points. Zeron also won the “phenom”
category last week as well.
While Zeron is dominating the Phenoms, the Legends category
has been a battle. Tonight, Andy Miller and Jim Morrill Jr. went into the
last race each with 83 points, with first round winner Dave Miller right behind
with 81 points. In the end, it was Jim Morrill Jr, with 90 points winning
round 2 for the Legends.
For the tournament, Dave Miller (172) leads the “Legends”
followed by Andy Miller (160), Jim Morrill Jr. (158), Corey Callahan (74) and
John Campbell (73).
Scott Zeron (163) is cruising along in the “Phenoms”
category. Joe Bongiorno (90) is a clear-cut second. Rounding out
the top 10 are Tony Hall (60), Jonathan Drury (54), Steve Smith (52), Jim.
Marohn Jr. (49), Vincent Ginsburg (46), Tyler Smith (45), Jim Meittinis (33)
and Eric Abbatiello (22).
On Saturday April 26th, the top five Legends and
the top five Phenoms will qualify for the Driver Challenge Final, with the
winner earning $15,000.
Racing resumes on Friday with the first round of the
Artistic Vision series for pacing mares, with post time at 7:15 P.M.
