The six week
“Legends vs Phenoms” Meadowlands drivers’ tournament kicked off with the
Saturday, with the top point earner of each distinction awarded a $2,000 prize.
Scott Zeron was the leader at every call for the Phenoms and had his bounty
salted away by race ten.
The
Legends, though fewer in number, were far more contentious in their
competition. The Millers, Andy (who seemed to relish the opportunity to race a
few on the lead with Yannick Gingras across the river all night) and David
swapped the point lead back and forth several times and as they lined up for
the twelfth and final Dave’s lead was a tenuous five points.
Dave
Miller put the favored Pembroke Dewey on the lead and parked out Andy’s weak
bid with Corey Road to unceremoniously close him out and take home the $2,000
top prize.
The
competition will continue over the next several weeks with the final for the
driver tournament schedule for Saturday, April 26th. The
Drivers and Points will be updated at PlayMeadowlands.com throughout the
tournament.
On the
equine front, two $20,000 divisions of the Clyde Hirt pacing series highlighted
the card. One was rather formful while the other division resulted in a
shocker.
In the
first split, a pair of leavers from outside posts made for a lively pace with
first Avatartist then Burkentine Hanover clearing to the front through a 27-
quarter and 54.2 half. Alexa’s Jackpot took a bold run at Burkentine past the
1:21.4 three panels and was moving like a winner as Dave Miller desperately
sought a seam for Avantartist. Once that fissure appeared, Miller guided him
through a tiny opening up the cones to win by the slimmest of margins (and
survive an inquiry to his course in the stretch) over Alexa’s Jackpot in
1:50.1. Burkentine Hanover was a brave third.
That
gives Avatartist wins in both legs and he’ll merit serious consideration in
what shapes up to be a very competitive $83,000 final next Saturday night. Tony
O’Sullivan trains the son of Rocknroll Hanover for W. Hill, P. Harrison, M.
Saftic and J. Walker all of Ontario.
Division
two began largely as predicted with a couple of longshots battling away on the
front and heavy favorite Wake Up Peter well situated second over around the
final bend when he suddenly and unexpectedly went off stride. That left the
long uncovered bid by Teresa’s Beach well rewarded with a new lifetime mark of
1:50.1 and his backers wallet’s a little fatter with a healthy $29.20 return on
investment. Bree’s Creek was up for the place with a late rush and Stars Above
landed third resulting in a trifecta payoff of over $4,000.
Brett
Brittingham was in for the drive for trainer Johnny Waite and owner Leslie
Betts, all of Delaware.
Also on
the card was the $47,650 final of the Winter Survivor series and Hacienda saved
the day for his more highly regarded entry-mate Cane Ridge with a 1:51.2 score
for Vinny Ginsburg.
Cane
Ridge’s convincing win in the second prelim drew favoritism and Andy Miller
sent him right to the front from the rail, the preferred position based his
past performance. The fractions were fast but fair, however when the
competition began to engulf the pace setter on all sides, trainer Doug
Dilloian, Jr’s focus shifted from the tiring leader to his “other” horse
Hacienda who was closing the widest and the fastest.
At the
wire Hacienda prevailed in a tight photo over Mc Rusty with Malosi N third.
Darius Oshidar owns the winner.
In
addition, Tyler Smith earned his first career Meadowlands driving victory with
Arsenal in the 4th race C-1 Pace.
The
Meadowlands showed slight gains both on-track and in total handle for the
Saturday program.
Racing
resumes on Friday, with first post time at 7:15 P.M.
