Mostinterestingman guns down Ambassador Hanover

In a classic stretch drive, first-over Mostinterestingman, a 15-1 longshot, was able to wear down pacesetter and race favorite Ambassador Hanover in capturing the feature harness racing trot Friday (May 20) at The Meadowlands.

Racing over a sloppy, rain-soaked track with a two second variance, it was Ambassador Hanover and trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt the first on the lead in the 9^th race feature, just getting to the front at the opening quarter mile in :27.1. Double Account (Dexter Dunn) stretched his lead early then settled for the two-hole trip.

As the field trotted to the half mile, Mostinterestingman and driver Todd McCarthy started up first-over and gave cover to Celebrate With Me (Yannick Gingras) by the half mile in :56.

By the three-quarters in 1:24.2, Mostinterestingman was continuing to gain on Ambassador Hanover and those two went head and head down the stretch with Double Account also in the hunt.

As they reached the wire, Ambassador Hanover began to tire as Mostinterestingman surged to the lead and won by one and one-half lengths in 1:52.1. Double Account was able to nose out Ambassador Hanover for second place.

MOSTINTERESTINGMAN REPLAY

Despite the sloppy track, Mostinterestingman lowered his lifetime mark by two full seconds. The nine-year-old gelding by Manofmanymissions notched his second win this year for trainer and co-owner Ricky Bucci, who shares ownership with Richard Solando. He paid $33.20 to win.

The Saturday night feature at The Meadowlands is the $170,450 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial for free-for-all trotters.

The field of nine includes three names that jump off the page.

Ecurie D Dk, the 2021 Breeders Crown champion, is the 3-1 second choice on the morning-line for trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt. This is a tough spot for a horse to make his seasonal debut, but Svanstedt isn’t concerned. “I’m satisfied with where he’s at,” said Svanstedt. “We’ve trained him a lot, so he’s ready.”

Bella Bellini (9-2), the 2021 Hambletonian Oaks winner, takes on older males in her third start as a 4-year-old, while the red-hot Lovedbythemasses, the 5-2 early favorite who is six-for-seven in 2022, looks to keep on rolling for trainer Jeff Cullipher.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink