Hambletonian Undercard
Alrajah One IT slingshots to Cashman victory
by Jay Bergman, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Alrajah One IT continued his dominance over the best trotters in North America on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 6), capturing the $279,000 John Cashman Memorial Trot at the Meadowlands for his third straight victory since arriving in the U.S.
Dexter Dunn guided the 6-year-old from off the pace to a 1:50.3 win.
The action was quick at the outset with Dunn taking to the back but many others looking to be near the front. Lovedbythemasses and driver Tim Tetrick were keen at the outset, leaving from post six with purpose but being kept three-deep early in the turn as Ecurie D DK (Åke Svanstedt) also had interest. Rattle My Cage (Yannick Gingras) pushed hard from the pole position, but Lovedbythemasases reached the lead before the :27.2 quarter.
Tetrick secured a :55.3 opening half for his charge, awaiting company that only came late in the third quarter when Ecurie D DK moved to the outside on the final bend. Dunn had already begun a slow grind past the half and picked up cover as Lovedbythemasses held command through three-quarters in 1:23.3 Ecurie D DK dueled with the leader, but in early stretch, Dunn tipped Alrajah One IT wide for room. The son of Maharajah took off instantly and drew off with supreme authority, winning by a widening two lengths. Ecurie D DK managed to hold on for second with Lovedbythemasses fading to third.
Alrajah One IT has won three consecutive stakes races since coming stateside and joining the Åke Svanstedt stable. Sent off as the 1-2 favorite, Alrajah One IT returned $3.00 to win.
Owned by Scuderia My Horse Inc., of Delray Beach, Florida, Alrajah One IT pushed his career earnings above $1.5 million and equaled his lifetime mark.
“He’s got an incredible turn of foot,” said Dunn in the winner’s circle. “I just called on him, and within a few strides he was gone.”
Beach Glass glamorous in Cane score
by Ray Cotolo, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A swift backside brush landed 2-5 favorite Beach Glass on the point, from which he held his ground and posted a 1:49 victory to win the $275,000 Cane Pace at the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 6).
Mad Max Hanover, the second choice at 3-2, pushed off the wings but landed third as Night Hawk powered past Fourever Boy to the lead after a :27.2 first quarter. As the speed settled, Mad Max Hanover flung out of third to take over the lead just before Beach Glass pushed along the rim to then snag the lead into a :54.3 half.
Beach Glass had his foes at his whim while Fourever Boy attacked first-over with Mad Max Hanover waiting for room by three-quarters in 1:22. He then spun for home with Fourever Boy retreating and Mad Max Hanover laying siege to the pacesetter into the final eighth. But Beach Glass stayed game to the pylons to keep Mad Max Hanover at bay by a half length. Night Hawk slipped through a seam inside to finish third, and Early Action closed for fourth.
“I really didn’t want to have him on the front, I was trying to get away fourth or fifth,” said driver Yannick Gingras after the race. “But a :27.2 first quarter ... it was going to be a :55-and-change half probably, so I had to make a move and make things happen. He’s all class, a great horse and the class did it today.”
Conditioned by Brent MacGrath, Beach Glass collected his fifth win from eight starts this season and his eighth from 13 overall. The son of Somebeachsomewhere has now banked $783,020 for owner-breeder Schooner II Stable.
“I’m very happy, but he does need a week off,” said MacGrath after Beach Glass scored his fourth win from five straight weeks. “I thought about going to the Milstein, but I’m not going to — he needs a week. I want to go to Pocono with him [for the Max Hempt]. Then, with a few weeks off, he’ll go to the Simcoe and after that to Lexington.”
Beach Glass paid $2.80 to win.
Bella Bellini brilliant in Steele
by Frank Cotolo, Hambletonian Society
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Bella Bellini and Dexter Dunn broke the Dr. John R. Steele Memorial stakes record with a 1:49.4 win in the $145,000 event for trotting mares at the Meadowlands on Saturday (Aug. 6).
The Bar Hopping mare watched her foes battle early as Atlanta took the lead and cut a :26 first quarter. When Dovescry took to the outside to challenge the 2018 Hambletonian winner in a short duel before getting the lead and reaching 1:22.1 while attempting to go the rest of the way in front.
Bella Bellini saved ground during the first three panels as Atlanta shifted to the outside sharply to take on When Dovescry down the stretch while Kenziesky Hanover, Weslynn Quest and Next Level Stuff were destined to fight for fourth.
Bella Bellini, who won four races in a row since late June before a third-place finish behind Atlanta in a Miss Versatility event on July 30, was full of trot and surged past Atlanta and When Dovescry, winning by two lengths in 1:49.4.
When Dovescry held second over Atlanta; Kenziesky Hanover won the three-mare tussle for fourth behind them.
Richard “Nifty” Norman trains Bella Bellini for owner-breeder David McDuffee.
Driver Dunn said he was confident throughout the mile and was smiling mid-race:
"Going down the back, I had a little bit of a smile on my face [because of the fast pace],” he said. “She was so sharp post parading today I knew she had her A-game on. And once those fractions set out for her, she's so fast at the end of her mile.”
McDuffee said, "I never thought I'd have a trotter under 1:50. It's unbelievable. I mean, wow. She's doing a hell of a job for us."
Bella Bellini paid $4.20 to win.
It was the mare’s 17th win in her three years of racing. She hoisted her lifetime earnings to $1,626,375.
Kilmister remains perfect with Haughton score
by Mike Farrell, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Kilmister extended his undefeated streak to four with a potent rally to win the $337,000 Peter Haughton Memorial, the first step on the unofficial “Road to the 2023 Hambletonian,” on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 6) at the Meadowlands.
The Haughton, for 2-year-old trotters, provides an early clue — and establishes a long-range favorite — for next year’s trotting classic, contested over this same track. While it is a long 12-month journey to next year’s Hambletonian, a Haughton win is an early indication of class and talent.
Kilmister has displayed both in abundance. Starting from the rail, Kilmister and driver Brian Sears took a brief early lead before yielding to Carter Michael Deo, who in turn let Oh Well dictate the pace.
On a day when speed seemed golden, Sears let Kilmister bide his time in third before unleashing the colt in the lane. He surged to a four-length victory over stablemate Oh Well, giving Marcus Melander a one-two finish. Melander almost completed a clean sweep as his third entrant, Upstaged, finished third but was disqualified to fourth for a break in the lane.
“We could have been first, second and third,” Melander said. “They raced very well, all the horses. Sadly, one of them made a break right before the finish line.”
That was the only blemish on an otherwise sensational stable performance, topped by Kilmister, named for the late founder and lead singer of Motorhead.
Kilmister was a $170,000 purchase at Lexington last fall for Courant Inc.
“This one was quite expensive,” said Courant Inc.’s Anders Ström. “I like this horse’s attitude. He likes to chase them down. He never uses excess energy and I hope he has more energy to use in the future.”
... a future that might include a return to the Meadowlands one year from now.
Kilmister trotted the mile in 1:53.3, paying $7.00 to win as the 5-2 second choice and giving Sears his sixth win in the Haughton.
Carter Michael Deo was elevated from fourth to third with the disqualification of Upstaged.
Catch The Fire catapults to record mile in McKee
by Jay Bergman, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Catch The Fire and driver Dexter Dunn worked out a perfect pocket trip behind pacesetter Nicholas Beach and catapulted to the front in the homestretch to take down the $278,000 Sam McKee Memorial, for open pacers, at the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 6).
The field of 11 went postward with many expecting Rockyroad Hanover and driver Todd McCarthy to continue their impressive form, but at the outset, the 4-year-old son of Captaintreacherous was forced to race wide as a host of leavers made traffic an issue on the opening bend. Nicholas Beach and Joe Bongiorno sped quickly from post two to gain control and seat third choice Catch The Fire (Dexter Dunn). Also leaving hard from the outside was Working On A Mystery, who settled in fourth while second-tier starter Whichwaytothebeach wedged between horses early to find a spot in third through the :26.1 opening quarter.
Not appearing happy with a pocket tow, Dunn pulled Catch The Fire briefly up the backstretch, forcing Bongiorno to keep a lively clip. Nicholas Beach was rolling at full power through a :53.1 opening half and kept pacing strongly during the third quarter as Workin On A Mystery and David Miller began a first-over drive with favored Rockyroad Hanover poised behind their cover.
Dunn didn’t wait to see what the closers had in mind as he popped the Todd Luther-trained Catch The Fire from the pocket at three-quarters in 1:20.1. The stallion exploded with pace, instantly separating himself from the closers and pacing home powerfully to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:46.4, equaling the stakes record Holborn Hanover set in 2006.
Rockyroad Hanover had the entire stretch to catch this fire, but was only second best with This Is The Plan and driver Yannick Gingras finding space between horses late and getting the third spot.
A 7-2 proposition, Catch The Fire returned $9.60 to win.
Owned by Black Magic Racing LLC and CT Stables LLC, Catch The Fire became a two-time McKee winner after taking a division of the event last year. He was driven by Scott Zeron in the 2021 score, but with Zeron sidelined, Dunn got the drive and the win.
"Dexter was showing off," Zeron said with a smile in the winner’s circle. "I only won by a little bit. He won by a lot."
Catch The Fire bred a full book of mares this year at Sugar Valley Farm. Proprietor Joe McLead was all smiles as well in the winner’s circle:
"He’s a very professional horse. Breeding a full book, it took some time to get him into racing shape. He’s coming around, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season."
Instagram Model stuns in Doherty Memorial
by Ray Cotolo, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Instagram Model floated off the pegs and powered to the lead to land the money shot in the $355,000 Jim Doherty Memorial, for 2-year-old trotting fillies, on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 6) at the Meadowlands.
Instagram Model settled in third while Royal Filly left for the top to a :27 first quarter. Una Madonna rode the pocket while the field raced mostly in file to a :55.1 half. Andy McCarthy made his move with Instagram Model heading to the far turn and marched forward to press Royal Filly to three-quarters in 1:24.3.
Royal Filly folded spinning for home, and Instagram Model powered to a widened lead entering the final eighth. Mambacita, the 4-5 favorite, motored from third-over down the center of the course to secure second by a diminishing one length behind Instagram Model's 1:53 lifetime best effort. Una Madonna shook loose from the pocket to take third, and Graceful Patty rallied for fourth.
“It was perfect today,” said McCarthy, who acquired the drive after Instagram Model’s usual driver, Scott Zeron, was injured in a recent racing accident. “Post nine last week was just really hard; I didn’t want to overuse her last week. But I was happy with the spot today and the way the fractions set up. We got to kind of hide her for a little bit and move her when we needed to. It was great.”
“I take no credit,” trainer Annie Stoebe said after the race. “For the first time training her, I told Lynn [Curry], ‘You know ... she’s different.’ She’s been nothing but a professional from day one and she’s all about doing her job.”
Collecting her second win from three starts, Instagram Model has now banked $178,625 for owner R. Lynn Curry. The daughter of Chapter Seven returned $10.40 to win.
Kobe's Gigi shatters Lady Liberty field at 51-1
by Frank Cotolo, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Kobe’s Gigi nipped favorite Test Of Faith to upset at 51-1 in the $173,000 Lady Liberty, for pacing mares, in a bombshell finish at the Meadowlands on Saturday (Aug. 6).
Racing to the top early, Kobe’s Gigi sat behind leader Racine Bell while Mikala stormed to the lead in a 26.1 first quarter. Kobe’s Gigi paced third as Mikala coasted to mark a :54 half, which prompted Blue Diamond Eyes to launch a chase from fourth. Test Of Faith, the huge public choice, took advantage of a sizzling three-quarters in 1:21.3 by vaulting off second-over cover and taking command with confidence in mid-stretch.
Also taking advantage of the circumstances, however, was Kobe’s Gigi, who took dead aim at Test Of Faith and broke the beam first in 1:48.3, defeating the 2021 Horse Of The Year by a head. Amazing Dream had enough left to pick up third.
Kobe’s Gigi paid $105.00 to win.
Todd McCarthy steered the Indiana-bred daughter of JK Endofanera to victory for trainer Richard “Nifty” Norman.
"She was terrific," he said. "I was surprised the way the race unfolded; it wasn't really my initial plan, but she felt good on the gate and it looked like I was going to be able to step out pretty good. She finished real well; [her] lines showed good times and she showed it today."
"She was an absolute pleasure to drive. I was kind of worried the stretch would toll on her but it didn't bother her too much. I had to wrestle her out, and when she got out and clear, she went right on."
Kobe’s Gigi recorded her third win this season and the 10th win of her career for owners Leander Schwartz and Black & White Stable. She now has earned $360,339.
Max Contract emerges victorious in Shady Daisy
by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Max Contract won for the fourth time in a row, capturing Saturday’s (Aug. 6) $92,300 Shady Daisy, for 3-year-old female pacers, by a nose over Sweet Treasure in 1:49.3 at the Meadowlands. Treacherous Dragon finished third.
Sweet Treasure left quickly from post four and led around the first turn before a parked-out Max Contract and driver Andy Miller grabbed the front just as the duo hit the quarter-mile mark in :26.1.
Boudoir Hanover moved to the lead on the backstretch and took the field to the half in :53.2 and remained on top as she reached three-quarters in 1:21.3.
In the stretch, Max Contract was boxed in before finding room up the inside late and storming to the front to get to the wire just ahead of the also charging Sweet Treasure.
“I thought I was in a great spot, and then (Boudoir Hanover) kind of came up empty and I was searching for room,” Miller said. “Unfortunately, she kind of got slowed down there turning for home, but when she got clearance, she took off again. She’s pretty versatile, I think.”
Max Contract is trained by Julie Miller for owners Andy Miller Stable, Steve Heimbecker and Jean Goehlen. The daughter of Huntsville-Big McDeal raced only once at age two, winning in 1:52.1, and is four-for-five this season. The filly, bred by Steve Jones, has earned $164,750 lifetime. Her victory in the Shady Daisy was her third consecutive on the Grand Circuit.
“I have to give a lot of credit to my owners, Jean and Steve; they believed in me when I told them I thought this filly could be special at three,” Julie Miller said. “They let me prove it to them.”
Max Contract, the 4-5 favorite, paid $3.60 to win.
