Perfidious Crown continues breakout season

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Perfidious Crown (Tall Dark Stranger) didn’t make much of a ripple in the water a year ago, as the then 2-year-old battled ankle problems during a season in which she went 0-for-6 with three third-place finishes.

But this far, during her 3-year-old campaign, all has gone well for the Tony Alagna trainee.

“Being a daughter of Treacherous Reign and first-crop Tall Dark Stranger, we had high expectations,” said Alagna. “But she just went through normal 2-year-old bone remodeling in her hind ankles and we just had to wait on her. She’s finally putting it all together and I can see her being an open mare in the future.”

In the Friday night feature at The Meadowlands, a mid-range conditioned event for fillies and mares on the pace, Perfidious Crown notched her second straight win at the mile oval with ease. Her resume said she could go with this group, having raced earlier this season in Pennsylvania’s Stallion Series, as well as the James Lynch.

PERFIDIOUS CROWN REPLAY

Perfidious Crown and driver Anibal Borjas popped out of three-hole at the five-eighths and sailed past even-money favorite Wunderkindbluechip on the turn before hitting the wire an easy 1¾-length winner in 1:52. Twin B Sunkissed was second with Laurie Lee third.

“She is feeling really good now,” said Borjas. “I think she likes it here [at The Meadowlands]. We believe she’s a nice filly. My plan was to leave a little and let [A Few Choice Words] go after I saw her coming [at the quarter]. I then wanted to see if anybody was coming before I pulled out [at the five-eighths]. My plan was to first-over on the last turn.”

Perfidious Crown now has five wins from just 16 lifetime starts. As the 7-2 second choice in the wagering, she returned $9.20 to win.

A LITTLE MORE: After racking up five winners Thursday night, Brett Beckwith again led the driver colony Friday, this time with three jaunts down victory lane. The 22-year-old pilot now has 118 wins at The Big M this year, 28 more than Mark Herschberger, who is in second in the standings. … Tom Cancelliere doubled up to top the trainers. … All-source betting on the 14-race card totaled $2,393,877. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands