Forbidden Trade upsets, Atlanta better than ever

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Soaring four wide late in the stretch, Forbidden Trade upset a sterling field of older harness racing trotters, including the super mare Manchego, to win the $135,000 Crawford Farms Trot on July 3 at The Meadowlands.

Forbidden Trade, driven by Daniel Dube, was sixth when It’s Academic cut the first quarter in :27.1. The Veteran followed in second and Majestic Player rolled easily in third.

Race-favorite Manchego sat fourth in the early going, but when It’s Academic rated the half in :56.3, she came out of fourth to challenge for the lead with Lindy The Great catching cover second over and Forbidden Trade racing from third over.

Manchego cruised uncovered around the final turn to match strides with It’s Academic to three-quarters in 1:24.2. Dube steered Forbidden Trade around Lindy The Great to launch a late charge that at first did not look hopeful.

But as Manchego battled with Lindy The Great and It’s Academic in deep stretch, Forbidden Trade brushed by full of trot, going a final quarter in :26.4 to get to the wire first by a neck in

a 1:51.1 mile.

Lindy The Great held on for second with Manchego third and It’s Academic finishing fourth.

FORBIDDEN TRADE REPLAY

“I would have liked to get away closer [in the start], said Dube. “

With the rail it’s touch to push out of there sometimes.” Dube said once Forbidden Trade got “in gear” he was trotting strongly. “I followed [Manchego] and [Lindy The Great] … then he dug in. That’s an amazing horse.”

Forbidden Trade paid $16.80 to win. It was his second win of 2021 in 18 starts. Trained by Luc Blais, the 5-year-old son of Kadabra amazed Meadowlands fans before when he came from behind to win The Hambletonian at 15-1 in 2019.

Determination of Quebec, Canada owns Forbidden Trade, who has now won $1,413,232.

Another Hambletonian winner, Atlanta, driven by Yannick Gingras, won the $156,000 Joie De Vie Trot over 10 rivals, also timed in 1:51.1.

Outsider Morairtime shot to the lead off the gate as Ramona Hill broke stride and an early shuffle for the lead ensued to a :27.2 first quarter. Hypnotic AM challenged for the top and Felicityshagwell S settled in third while When Dovescry, who left from the second tier, rushed three wide to the front to take the lead.

The field settled with those positions until 4-5 favorite Atlanta took the outside path and grabbed a short lead over When Dovescry moving to three-quarters in 1:24.4.

The 2018 Hambletonian winner easily drew away off the turn to win by 2 1/2 lengths while When Dovescry held on for second and Hypnotic AM found late foot to take the third spot. Next Level Stuff checked in next in fourth.

ATLANTA REPLAY

It was the second win of the season for Atlanta, trained by Ron Burke, and her 27th victory in her career. The 6-year-old Chapter Seven mare has now won $2,752,973.

Gingras said Atlanta “is so freakin’ good right now. I don’t know if she’s ever been better.” Gingras said he was not happy having to go first over with her “but she came with a handful of trot. I was just patient with her and didn’t have to call on her too early. About three or four strides into the stretch I asked her and she took off like a pacer. She’s unbelievable.”

Crawford Farms, Bradley Grant and Howard Taylor own Atlanta, who paid $3.80 to win.

by Frank Cotolo, for The Meadowlands