By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Fire Start
Hanover, Commanding Officer and Summa Cum Laude all remained perfect through
two legs of the Kindergarten Classic for 2-year-olds at The Meadowlands Friday
night.
Fire Start Hanover had an easy time
of it in the first race filly pace, sailing down the road in a lifetime-best
1:52.1 to win by 1¾ lengths with driver Victor Kirby calling the shots. The
daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Fit To Frame, who is trained by Nifty Norman,
paid $3.20 to win as the 3-5 favorite and ran her overall winning streak to
three.
Commanding Officer completed an
all-chalk Early Daily Double for trainer Tony Alagna and driver Scott Zeron.
The 2-5 favorite cleared to the lead before the three-eighths on the way to a
1½-length romp in 1:52.1 in a division for colt and gelding pacers. The son of
Captaintreacherous-Turnoffthelights returned $2.80 to win.
Summa Cum Laude stayed unbeaten in
taking another division for male pacers in race nine. Driven by Simon Allard
for trainer Ron Burke, Summa Cum Laude took over the lead after Bettor Not Talk
went off stride while racing on the point on the way to the half. The winner, a
son of Somebeachsomewhere-Western Graduate, scored by a length in 1:52.2 and
returned $4.00 as the even-money post-time choice.
A LITTLE MORE: Allard was the top driver of the
night. Currently fifth in the standings at Pocono Downs, Allard won three races
on the night, two of them for Burke. … Kirby guided a pair of winner’s circle
visitors for Norman. … Mark MacDonald and Zeron also steered two to victory
lane. … Big M TV personality Jessica Otten correctly selected the $267.40 Early
50-cent Pick-4. She also gave out best bet Mazzarati, who returned $9.80 to
win. … Despite the 4-5 favorite scoring easily, the 13th race
Pentafecta failed to yield a winning ticket. The next Late 10-cent Pentafecta
will start out with a carryover of $14,331. … All-source wagering totaled
$1,878,489. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
