by Ray Cotolo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With open road late in the stretch, Filibuster Hanover fired past horses to land a head in front at the finish of the $61,540 Sam McKee Memorial Consolation on Saturday (Aug. 8) at The Meadowlands.
Our Majordan A, the 6-5 favorite, launched to the lead from post six while Jesse Duke N pushed from the pylons to race in the pocket. Filibuster Hanover sat fourth to a :25.4 first quarter and stayed put at the pylons as Our Majordan A posted middle fractions of :54 and 1:22.2.
Rounding the final turn, Donttellmeagain advanced first over to apply mild late pressure with Trump Nation and Geez Joe in tow — second- and third-over, respectively. Into the stretch, Our Majordan A maintained a narrow lead as Jesse Duke N squeezed through a slim opening at the pylons, edging by the tiring pacesetter to take a short mid-stretch lead before Filibuster Hanover — angling to the center of the track off a covered trip at the pylons — gathered momentum and charged past to win in the final strides of a 1:49.1 mile. Our Majordan A settled for third.
Returning $58.40 to win, Filibuster Hanover won his first race from five starts this season and his 14th from 75 overall and has earned $1,758,544. Ron Burke trains the 6-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding for owners Burke Racing Stable, Joseph DiScala Jr., J&T Silva Stables and Weaver Bruscemi. Matt Kakaley drove the winner.
