International Moni, Enterprise win Hambletonian eliminations

International Moni, sent off as the 3-5 favorite, held off Bill’s Man by a nose to win the first of two $100,000 Hambletonian elimination heats, the eighth race on Saturday (Aug. 5) at the Meadowlands.

International Moni, unbeaten in four starts this year, paid $3.40, $2.80, $2.20. Scott Zeron guided the 3-year-old son of Love You, out of two-time Horse of the Year Moni Maker, for trainer Frank Antonacci and the Moni Maker Stable of Enfield, Conn.

Bill’s Man returned $5.00, $3.20. Victor Gio It, who was third, paid $3.60.
The mile was trotted in 1:52.3.

Also advancing from the first heat to the $1 million Hambletonian final for 3-year-old trotters, were Guardian Angel AS and Giveitgasandgo, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Enterprise scored a length victory over 9-5 favorite Devious Man in the second of two $100,000 Hambletonian eliminations, the ninth race on Saturday at the Meadowlands.

Tim Tetrick guided Enterprise ($13.80, $6.00, $4.00) to the Chapter Seven-Shes Gone Again colt’s fifth win in seven starts this year for trainer Marcus Melander and ownership Courant Inc. of Delray Beach, Fla. Devious Man ($3.80, $3.20) was second best with Andy Miller at the lines. Perfect Spirit ($6.40) was third with Ake Svanstedt.

Also advancing were What The Hill and Dover Dan.

The time of the race was 1:52 for the mile.

Attendance for the Hambletonian Day card was 18,356 and all-source wagering totaled $5,788,870.

Jimmy Takter trained five winners on the card while Yannick Gingras drove four. Ake Svanstedt trained and drove three to victory lane.

Live harness racing returns to the Big M on Sept. 8 for an abbreviated four-day September meeting. The other dates are Sept. 9, 15 and 16. Post time is 7:15 p.m.