Voukefalas returns in Tompkins-Geers Stake

After a disappointing 8^th place finish in the Meadowlands Pace two weeks ago, top pacer Voukefalas (Lazarus N) returns to the racing wars Saturday at the Meadowlands in one of two divisions of the Tompkin-Geers Stake for three-year-olds.

After a game second place effort in his Meadowlands Pace elimination division, Voukefalas drew post two for the final and ended up getting a second-over trip behind the winner, Confederate, but was unable to keep up with the live cover.

It was not the kind of finish that trainer Michael Russo and driver Jordan Stratton expected from their top pacing colt.

“He raced horrible,” Russo said. “Horses have reasons for how they perform on any given week, and he has more than one excuse, but I will not put them out there because I will never say anything to take away from the horses and trainers who performed well.”

“I wish I could give you some info, but I don’t really know what happened that night,” driver Jordan Stratton said. “I don’t think anyone was beating Confederate that night, but I feel like we should have been towed into it for a clear second place finish.

“He was having trouble keeping up to his cover and flattened out around the last turn,” Stratton added. “Hopefully he is back to himself Saturday.”

According to Russo, “It took him a couple extra days to recover, but he has responded well, and as far as I can tell, he’s 100%.”

This Saturday, Voukefalas heads the 11^th race first division of the Tompkins-Geers where he takes on tough competitors Captain Batboy (post 1) and Hungry Angel Boy (post 4).

“I didn’t plan on racing in the Tompkins,” Russo said. “But I did drop him in it yesterday morning. If all goes well in the Tompkins, he will race in The Cane, then a month off before the NJ Classic, and then a decision is to be made for The Jug.”

With two weeks off since his last start, Voukefalas should be in prime shape for his next two starts before getting a month off. The proof will be in how he races this Saturday night.

For complete Saturday race entries, click here: US Trotting Entries

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink