By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile
LEXINGTON,
KY—Surpassing $1 million in earnings, Greenshoe coasted to a 1:49.4 victory in
the first of two divisions of the $192,200 Bar Hopping Bluegrass
Stakes—sponsored by the Bar Hopping Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farm—as trainer
Marcus Melander swept the pair of sophomore trotting events Sunday, Sept. 29 at
The Red Mile.
Greenshoe
raced third to a :26.3 first quarter set by Chin Chin Hall with Union Forces
sitting in the pocket. Driver Brian Sears kept Greenshoe in third through a
:55.2 half before pulling wide and cruising to the top rounding the final turn.
The Father Patrick colt—sent the 1-9 favorite—strode past three-quarters in
1:23 and sprinted to the finish in :26.4 under pursuit from stablemate
Gimpanzee in second. Chin Chin Hall settled for third.
“He’s
been behaving the whole year,” Melander said after the race. “He’s been here
almost for three weeks now and he’s very relaxed on this track. I’m always a
little bit nervous when he goes out on the track to see how he behaves. But
he’s been behaving every start so I cannot complain.
“I
think he can go [1]:48,” Melander also said. “If he gets a faster half or
faster three-quarters. But he’s so fast that he can do that for sure.”
Winning
his 11th race from 15 starts, Greenshoe has $1,016,273 banked for
owners Courant Inc., Hans Backe, Lars Granqvist and Morten Langli. Al Libfeld
and Marvin Katz bred the $2.10 winner.
Melander’s
other star pupil, millionaire Green Manalishi S, delivered as the 4-5 favorite
in the second Bar Hopping division.
Marseille
moved for the top heading to a :27.1 first quarter while Osterc protected the
pocket. Driver Tim Tetrick angled Green Manalishi S first over nearing a :55.4
half and ranged towards the pacesetter with Pilot Discretion in tow approaching
three-quarters in 1:23. Green Manalishi S took command entering the stretch as
Marseille battled towards the pylons and Pilot Discretion kicked off cover to
give chase. The Melander-trained Muscle Hill colt stopped the clock in 1:50.4
and finished one length better than Pilot Discretion with Marseille holding
third.
