By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – One week
after an incredible start to his 3-year-old campaign, Greenshoe was even more
remarkable Friday night, trotting the fastest mile of the year in the sport of
1:50.2 in taking the $200,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final for colts and
geldings at the Meadowlands, and in the process, stamped himself as one of the
primary contenders for the Aug. 3 Hambletonian.
The son of Father Patrick-Designed To
Be began his season last week by scoring for fun in 1:51.2 and was even more
impressive this time around.
After a 2-year-old season that saw
him break in each of his four starts (he won two of them), Greenshoe is
learning how to be a star.
“He only had four starts last year,”
said driver Brian Sears. “And every one he gets this year that he stays flat is
a step in the right direction. He’s done a lot of maturing.”
Sears had Greenshoe, the 1-5
favorite, sitting in the five-hole early on, before vacating the rail at the
three-eighths and making up ground on leader Sheena’s Boy. “He was trotting
pretty good,” said Sears of Greenshoe. “I was just biding my time.”
Under no apparent urging from his
driver, Greenshoe ($2.40 to win) was inching his way toward the front before
using a quick burst of speed to secure the top at three-quarters by an
ever-increasing 2½ lengths. He trotted his third quarter in :26.4 before a
final explosive split of :27.1 to hit the wire six lengths in front of a
rallying Reign Of Honor. Galixton finished third.
In other New Jersey Sire Stakes
Finals, Evident Beauty ($2.80 as the 2-5 public choice) stayed perfect in three
2019 starts by taking the 3-year-old filly trot in 1:52.3 for trainer Nifty
Norman and driver Dave Miller. Miller got the daughter of Trixton-Struck By
Lindy into a third-over flow down the backstretch – with plenty left to do –
but powered past her rivals nonetheless to best Sister’s Promise by a length.
Starita was third.
“She’s come back really good this
year,” said Miller. “She’s pretty easy on herself. Despite the trip, I still
felt pretty confident.”
Earlier in the evening in a pair of
non-betting NJSS Finals, Hurrikanesky took the 3-year-old filly pace in 1:54.4
for trainer Patrick Hlubik and driver Scott Zeron while Meadowlands Pace
hopeful Hurrikane Emperor won the 3-year-old colt and gelding pace in 1:53 for
trainer John McDermott Jr. and driver Daniel Dube.
A LITTLE MORE: Corey Callahan, Miller, Tim Tetrick
and Tyler Buter all had driving doubles on the card. … Chalk players wore out a
path to cash tickets, as eight favorites scored on the 13-race program. … One
sharp Canadian simulcast player held the lone ticket that went 10-for-10 in the
20-Cent Survivor Pick-10 and walked way with $12,414.62. … The fifth race
20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five failed to result in a single-ticket winner,
bloating the carryover to $100,944.63. … All-source handle on the card totaled
$2,582,318. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
