Last-to-first victory in NJSS

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The method may not be one that her nervous backers appreciate, but Reckless Abandon (Cattlewash-Reclamation) recorded her second straight harness racing victory with ease, despite racing in last for much of the mile Friday night at The Meadowlands when six $25,000 leg three New Jersey Sire Stakes dashes for 2-year-olds of each sex and gait were conducted during the card.

In the lone filly pace, Reckless Abandon raced in sixth for a second straight week for the first half-mile as Beach Babe led at the quarter in :27.1 and Worklifebalance the half in :55.3. At the five-eighths, TH Summer Lovin popped out of the five-hole and swiftly went after the leaders while providing a live tow for 1-9 favorite Reckless Abandon, who tipped off her cover inside the eighth pole and sprinted away to an easy 2¼-length victory in a lifetime-best 1:52. TH Summer Lovin held second with Worklifebalance third.

“She’s a pretty talented filly,” said winning driver Todd McCarthy. “[Trainer] Brett [Pelling] has done a great job with her. She got a good second over trip.”

“I’m super happy she’s had cover from outside posts, it helps with the anxiety of racing a 2-year-old filly four weeks in a row,” said Pelling. “The ear plugs were not pulled and she was in hand. I would be confident if Todd decides to get involved early in the [Aug. 2 NJSS] final. She will be fine.”

RECKLESS ABANDON REPLAY

Reckless Abandon returned $2.10 to her faithful as the 1-9 favorite.

THE FAB FIVE: The other five victorious NJSS horses were:

• Colt and Gelding Trot (Div. 1) – Onajetplane (a colt by Walner-Noble Lover), driver Andy McCarthy, trainer Noel Daley, winning time 1:55.1, paid $101.40 to win as the 49-1 sixth choice in the wagering
• Filly Trot (Div. 1) – Champagne Problems (Tactical Landing-Miss Caviar), Dexter Dunn, Nancy Takter, 1:55.1, $8.60 as the 3-1 third choice
• Colt and Gelding Pace (lone division) – Manolete (a colt by Cattlewash-Glancewithme), Todd McCarthy, Bruce Saunders, lifetime-best 1:51.4, $2.80 as the 2-5 favorite
• Colt and Gelding Trot (Div. 2) – Yannick G Kemp (a colt by Walner-Southwind Adele), Dave Miller, Nifty Norman, 1:55.2, $13.40 as the 5-1 third choice
• Filly Trot (Div. 2) – Conversano (Muscle Hill-Celebrity Ruth), Todd McCarthy, Juan Cano, 1:55, $24.40 as the 11-1 fourth choice

A LITTLE MORE: 49-1 longshot Onajetplane created some big payoffs by taking the third race. The 20-cent Survivor Pick-7, which is offered on races two through eight, returned $4,260.18 for those with six winners on their tickets, while the 20-cent Pick-5, available on the first through the fifth, came back $1,646.76. … Todd McCarthy and Dunn tied atop the driver-colony leaderboard as each took three jaunts down victory lane. James Slendorn and Eric Davis had driving doubles. … Both of Slendorn’s wins came with Kelvin Harrison trainees, making Harrison the top conditioner of the night. … All-source handle totaled $2,545,895 on the 14-race card. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m. Sitting atop the marquee on the program are three eliminations for the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks and two for the $1-million Hambletonian.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands