Breakout year beginning for Rattle My Cage?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Hailing from the Ake Svanstedt harness racing stable, Rattle My Cage (Love You) lives in the shadows of barn mates Delayed Hanover and Ecurie D DK among others, but the 4-year-old is clearly on the way to making a name for himself after winning a second straight start at The Meadowlands after taking the $23,000 featured high-end conditioned trot in a blistering lifetime-best 1:50.2 on Saturday night (Jun. 11).

Piloting the stallion was Ake’s wife, Sarah, and she did everything right in her first Meadowlands drive of the year.

“It was the horse,” said Svanstedt. “It was an amazing mile.”

When asked if she would be replacing regular driver Yannick Gingras, Svanstedt laughed before replying: “No.”

But maybe she should think about it.

Rattle My Cage, off a sensational Big M score in the slop in 1:51.3 on May 20, was on the go early from post three in the nine-horse field and was on the point at the quarter in :27.1. There was no spot for longshot Thankful No, who provided token pressure racing off the leader’s flank past the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:23.1, but Svanstedt never appeared to have an anxious moment.

“This horse can do everything, he can go to the lead or come from off a helmet,” said Svanstedt. “I had the goal of making the front, but you never know how it’s going to work out.”

Through the stretch, Rattle My Cage powered clear of his foes on the way to a convincing 2¾-length win. Cindy Michelle sat in the pocket from start to finish to get second with Dee’s Red Delicous grabbing the show dough. Sermon, the 8-5 second choice, had no pop racing in a compromised flow and finished sixth.

RATTLE MY CAGE REPLAY

“When we started back in the winter, he had grown,” said Svanstedt. “And over the course of training he got stronger. He’s a mentally strong horse. His ears are always forward and he loves his job. He and Delayed Hanover are heading to the Graduate in two weeks and then they’ll go in the Hambletonian Maturity.”

It doesn’t appear likely that Svanstedt will be seen all that often in the sulky moving forward, but she clearly appreciated the chance.

“I have been going in amateur races, so now when I have an opportunity to drive some nicer horses, it’s really a pleasure. I’m very thankful that the owner considered having me as a driver.”

After recording his sixth career victory from 21 starts, Rattle My Cage now has earnings of $138,279 for owner Perry Soderberg. As the 7-5 favorite, he returned $4.80 to win.

OTTEN SCORES: Jessica Otten was the lone handicapper to show a profit on Night 4 of The Big M’s “Battle of the Masterminds” handicapping contest.

Otten ended the night with a total of $605, besting Ken Warkentin (who cashed $456.80) and Dave Brower ($440).

A LITTLE MORE: There were no winning tickets sold in the 20-cent Pick-6, setting up a carryover of $5,731.20 for Friday’s card. Those with five correct cashed in for $100.34. … Andy Miller led the driver colony with three winners on the program while Braxten Boyd scored twice. … All-source handle totaled $2,668,101. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands