East Rutherford -- The
$100,000 Meadowlands Maturity Pace was the feature of Friday night’s card at
The Meadowlands and served as the stage for the successful return to the races
of two time defending Pacer of the Year Captaintreacherous.
Saddled
with post ten for his seasonal debut, The Captain was sent away from the gate
by Tim Tetrick improving to a mid-field tuck in fifth as first Word Power and
then Apprentice Hanover led past the opening quarter in 26 flat. Tetrick tipped
Captaintreacherous at about the three eighths mark and within a few strides had
the lead at the half in 54 flat.
A 28.2
breather in the third panel was all he needed to get home as The Captain
responded to Tetrick urging when Sunfire Blue Chip approached headstretch and
then held stablemate Odds On Equuleus safe by a length in 1:49.2 on a track
rated good. Dovuto Hanover was third. The finish mirrored the 2013
edition of The Meadowlands Pace with Odds On Equuleus chasing
Captaintreacherous to the wire, but having to settle for the runner-up spot.
Driver
Tim Tetrick was dutifully impressed with the performance and stated post-race
when asked about facing older “I think he’s as good as any of them. When he
feels a horse at him, he goes on. He wouldn’t let anyone by tonight until we
got back to the paddock.”
Captaintreacherous
Racing owns the winner, who was beautifully prepped for the occasion by his
trainer Tony Alagna. The Tetrick-Alagna combination went to the winner’s
circle three times tonight, also winning with Handover Belle in a C-1 trot and
Mattie Terror Girl in a C-1/B-2 Filly and Mare Pace. Tetrick won four on
the night, while leading driver Yannick Gingras scored a hat-trick.
Next
reported stop for the Treacherous Team is Mohegan Sun at Pocono for the Ben
Franklin eliminations followed by a return to The Meadowlands for the William
Haughton Memorial and U.S. Pacing Championship.
Racing
resumes on Saturday with first post time at 7:15 P.M. Entertainment on
Saturday includes The Battle of the Bands, always a popular draw at The
Meadowlands as well as a Yankee and Met ticket giveaway in honor of Father’s
Day. For more information, go to PlayMeadowlands.com
