Lazarus N foals dominate in NJ Sire Stakes

The New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and fillies got underway with the opening round at The Meadowlands Saturday (May 6) and all three $30,000 divisions were dominated by the sons and daughters of world champion harness racing horse and stallion, Lazarus N.

The fastest mile of the three division featured the colts in the 8^th race and it was a 1, 2, 3, 4 finish for Lazarus N foals.

It was the 4/5 race favorite, Voukefalas and driver Jordan Stratton taking the early lead away from Lifes A Puzzle (Tim Tetrick) and leading the field to the first quarter in :27.4.

Voukefalas then led to the half mile in :56.3 as Handlelikeaporsche (Dexter Dunn) started up first-over from fourth place and looked to be gaining ground on the leaders, but then Voukefalas stepped it up a notch for Stratton, going to the three-quarters in 1:24.3.

Handlelikeaporsche tried as he might, but there was no catching Voukefalas, who went on to win by three lengths in 1:50.3, last quarter in :26. Handlelikeaporsche was second with Lifes A Puzzle third.

VOUKEFALAS REPLAY

It was the first start of the year for Voukefalas and a lifetime mark. He is trained by Michael Russo for owner-breeder Michael Pagonas of Saddle River, NJ. He paid $3.80 to win.

“That was special,” said Russo, who has his eyes on the (June 17) North America Cup and (July 15) Big M Pace. “While Jordan was taking him off the track, Voukefalas is still in his race bike and bridle and his nostrils weren’t even moving. He doesn’t like to go slow at all. He was getting annoyed around the last turn that Jordan was trying to go slow with him. He’s done a lot of maturing since last year and he knows how strong he is.”

There were two $30,000 NJ Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies. The first division was the 4^th race were Two Pistol Annie (Lazarus N) and driver Dexter Dunn were parked out to the opening quarter mile and then wired the field.

Wall Of Blue (Tim Tetrick) was first in front to the quarter in a slow :29 as Two Pistol Annie came on the outside to take command. She then led to the half in :57, the three-quarters in 1:25.2 and then came home in :26.4 to win by one and one-half lengths in 1:52.1. Lisa Lane (Patrick Ryder) was second with Anneliese Hanover (Todd McCarthy) third.

TWO PISTOL ANNIE REPLAY

It was the second straight win this season for Two Pistol Annie. She is trained by Nik Drennan for owners Brenda Selwyn Waxman and Tess Waxman. She paid $2.10 to win.

The only division that was not won by a foal from Lazarus N was the 11th race second $30,000 NJSS division for three-year-old pacing fillies that saw a three-horse photo finish.

It was Anna’s Wish and driver Joe Bongiorno who cut the mile from the start with Get Answers (Yannick Gingras) in the pocket-seat to the opening quarter mile in :27.2. They raced single file to the half in :55.1. Then late in the backstretch race favorite Ucandoit Blue Chip (Keystone Velocity) and driver Scott Zeron moved first-over from fourth place by the three-quarters in 1:23.4.

Gingras pulled from the pocket seat and forced Ucandoit Blue Chip three-wide as they started after Anna’s Wish in the stretch. It was neck and neck coming to the wire when Ucandoit Blue Chip kicked in a sudden burst of speed to win the three-horse photo by a head in 1:50.4. Anna’s Wish was second with Get Answers third.

UCANDOIT BLUE CHIP REPLAY

It was a lifetime mark in the first start of the year for Ucandoit Blue Chip, who is trained by Linda Toscano for owner Bill Elliott of Woodstock, ON. She paid $3.60 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink