By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Sonofamistery
was winless in three tries this year, and in each start he came from off the
pace, so driver Brian Sears tried something different this time around and it
worked to perfection in the Friday night feature at The Meadowlands.
Sonofamistery’s driver knew what was
coming. His trainer? Not so much. “My horse has raced pretty well the last few
weeks,” said Marcus Melander. “But I actually always thought he is better from
off the pace chasing down horses.”
Sears fired Sonofamistery away from
post four in the nine-horse field in the $50,000 Open for trotting 3-year-old
colts and geldings, and would catch a big break early on, as 6-5 favorite
Really Fast went off stride in the first turn. That left Sonofamistery
with the front all to himself.
Racing the first two splits in an
identically timed :27.4, Sonofamistery was then able to rate the third fraction
back to :28.1 to hit three-quarters in 1:23.4.
The son of Muscle Hill-Mistery Woman
was then able to finish the job by three-quarters-of-a-length in a
lifetime-best 1:51.2 with a little more good fortune, as Lindysmusclemania, who
sat a pocket trip from the start, had good momentum while inching closer to the
eventual winner nearing the finish only to go off stride with less than 50
yards to go. Lindysmusclemania was disqualified from second and placed fourth
as a result. Calle Palema and In Range (another Melander trainee) were placed
second and third, respectively. Really Fast finished eighth.
“This might have been the first time
my horse raced on the lead,” said Melander. “and he looked good doing it. I
never ask Brian what his thoughts are before the race. It was totally up to
him. I think my horse is fast enough to go in the Hambletonian. He beat some
nice horses tonight.”
As the fourth choice in the betting,
Sonofamistery returned $15.60 to his backers while lifting his lifetime stats
to four wins from 12 starts, good for earnings of $82,750 for owners S R F
Stable and Holly Lane Stud East.
KISS THEM GOODBYE: Racine Bell, a 4-year-old daughter of
So Surreal-Ty’s Artist, took the $30,000 second leg of the Kissin In The Sand
series for Open filly and mare pacers in wire-to-wire fashion for driver Jason
Bartlett and trainer David Dewhurst in 1:49.1, a lifetime best. Even-money
favorite Lyons Sentinel closed late to miss by a head. Racine Belle returned
$11.80 as the third choice in the betting.
A LITTLE MORE: One shrewd player raked the entire
pot in the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 and cashed in for $13,111.38. … Tim Tetrick,
Andy McCarthy, Todd McCarthy and Scott Zeron all recorded driving doubles. …
All-source wagering totaled $2,759,270. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.
