Favorites falter in TVG prep events

The Meadowlands hosted two $34,500 Preferred races as harness racing prep events for next week’s TVG Series races.

First up were the trotters in the 8^th race as Yanks Dugout (Yannick Gingras) was able to out leave It’s Academic (Uncle Peter) and driver David Miller to the opening quarter in :27. Eurobond (Tim Tetrick) then tried to come first-over to the lead but had to settle for the pocket-trip and then It’s Academic came back to take command at the half mile marker in :55.2.

To the three-quarters Eurobond came first-over, giving cover to Bella Bellini and third-over was the 6/5 race favorite Ecurie D DK with trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt. They went by the three-quarters in 1:25.

Coming down the stretch, It’s Academic remained the strong horse and went on to win by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:51.4 with Bella Bellini second and Incommunicado (Scott Zeron) third. Ecurie D DK was sixth.

IT’S ACADEMIC REPLAY

The last quarter mile by It’s Academic was impressive :26.4. It was his second straight win and third victory of the season. He is trained by Ron Burke for owner Brad Grant and paid $8.20 to win.

In the 10th race Preferred Pace it was the 1/5 race favorite Tattoo Artist and driver Todd McCarthy who out left This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras) for the early lead as they went a speedy first quarter in :26.4. Tattoo Artist was in command to the half mile in :54.

In the backstretch, Dexter Dunn moved 7-1 Lou’s Pearlman (Sweet Lou) first-over from fourth before the three-quarters in 1:21.3 and continued to gain ground on the leaders.

As they came down the stretch, This Is The Plan was able to overtake Tattoo Artist and looked to have the race all to themselves except that Dunn had Lou’s Pearlman in another gear and they were able to nip This Is The Plan at the wire by a nose in 1:49. Southwind Gendry (David Miller) was third with Tattoo Artist fourth.

LOU’S PEARLMAN REPLAY

It was the fourth win on the year for Lou’s Pearlman. He is trained by Ron Burke and owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Elizabeth Novak and Howard Taylor. He paid $16.60 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink