The $30,000 final for the Legends vs Phenoms driving
competition threaded through the Saturday night card at The Meadowlands with
ten drivers competing over five races for the $15,000 first prize. Each driver
was entitled to choose his mount in one of the five races and through the first
three they proved to be prophetic with a chosen horse winning each of those
races.
As the twelfth race came onto the track as many as six
drivers had a chance at the top prize, though point leader Jim Morrill, Jr was
forced to watch from the sidelines due to the scratch of his mount.
Corey Callahan seized that opportunity and put his mount,
the 9/2 third choice Whataorse, in play early from post ten landing a pocket
trip behind dueling leaders. Jim Marohn Jr. sent his charge Prince Sharka to
the lead and parked Dave Miller through demanding fractions. When a seam opened
in the stretch Callahan slipped through and although he could not track down
race winner Stormin Rustler and Steve Smith he did finish second in the race
amassing enough points to win the competition.
The final tally was Callahan 36 (winning $15,000),
Morrill 35 ($5,000) and Marohn 34 ($3,000). All other drivers were awarded
$1,000 for taking part in the competition.
Earlier on the evening, the W. N. Reynolds stake for
three year old pacing colts, first Grand Circuit stake of the 2014 season at
The Meadowlands, fielded nine nice colts looking for a positive start to their
sophomore season. It came as the third race on the Saturday night card.
Always B Miki was moved to the front by Yannick Gingras
between the 26.2 quarter and 55.4 half, that proved to be the winning move as
the Always A Virgin colt sailed along unchallenged closing out the 1:50.3 mile
with a 26.1 final stanza.
Allstar Partner followed the winner and held second
easily in his first start of the new season and The Lunch Pail finished third.
Always B Miki’s trainer Joe Holloway has stated that he’s
giving the colt a chance to make the varsity team and stay with the East Coast
string, even keeping him eligible to the Meadowlands Pace. As though he knows
what hangs in the balance “Miki” has been making his case with impressive
performances and is moving forward with each start.
Owned by the Bluewood Stable, Val D’Or farms and Roll The
Dice Stable, Always B Miki won’t have to worry about a red tag and a bus ticket
waiting for him in his stall back at Showplace Farms anytime soon.
The $30,000 A-2/FFA Handicap Pace was again the stage for
Dovuto Hanover to display his irresistible late kick in 1:49.4. Taken back to
last in the field of seven by Scott Zeron, Dovuto was as many as a dozen
lengths from pacesetter Golden Receiver through soft fractions of 55.4 for the
half and 1:23.3 for three quarters.
Zeron navigated his charge into a second over position
following Emeritus Maximus into the stretch, fanned off that cover when they
straightened up and took virtually the length of the stretch to wear the leader
down. Dovuto Hanover once again paced a 25.2 final quarter. Emeritus
Maximus edged Golden Receiver for second.
Darran Cassar trains the winner for Martin Scharf.
Racing returns on Friday night with the Simpson for three
year old filly pacers and the three year old colt and gelding pacers do battle
in the Simpson on Saturday. Friday night features the opening of Victory
Terrace, The Meadowlands rooftop bar and lounge and Saturday features the
Kentucky Derby simulcast, with gates opening at 9:30 A.M. Live harness
racing on both Friday and Saturday is set for 7:15 P.M.
