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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Tony Adams S (Muscle Hill-Dreamgirl Hornline) sustained a first-over push through the far turn, inherited the lead as 3-5 favorite Sig Sauer broke stride turning for home, and led trainer Åke Svanstedt’s one-two punch in the $250,000 New Jersey Classic final for 3-year-old male harness racing trotters on Friday (Sept. 6) at the Meadowlands.
Tony Adams S settled just off the speed in fourth as 16-1 shot Benny J controlled a :27.3 first quarter before yielding to Sig Sauer, whom Yannick Gingras activated from third to take charge on the backstretch. With three-eighths to go, Dexter Dunn gave the colt his cue to advance uncovered, and he worked up to the flank of Sig Sauer at three-quarters in 1:23.4.
Sig Sauer faltered off the corner for home as the pressure intensified, and Tony Adams S inherited a 2-1/2-length lead at the eighth pole. He held sway through a :27.1 sprint home, keeping stablemate Mr Bluebird (driven by Åke Svanstedt) a half length at bay in a lifetime best 1:51. Bella’s Musclehill (David Miller) rallied mildly to take third.
“He was marching up pretty good on the last turn; I was trying to get him to slow down a little bit, actually,” Dunn said of Tony Adams S. “He felt tremendous tonight and raced a good mile.”
TONY ADAMS S REPLAY
Tony Adams S, who competes as a homebred for Stall Arsenal AB, has now won three of eight races this year and five of 15 lifetime. His $118,750 winner’s share of the purse elevated his career earnings to $383,919.
Sent off the 6-5 second choice, Tony Adams S paid $4.60 to win.
Onajetplane soars to upset in Classic rookie trot
The $250,000 New Jersey Classic final for 2-year-old male trotters shaped up as a battle royale between Hidalgo, Go Boom and Go Ahead Makemyday, but Onajetplane (Walner-Noble Lover) and driver Andy McCarthy stunned them all, sweeping three-wide around cover in mid-stretch to post a 12-1 upset.
McCarthy took his time early with the colt, sitting fifth through an eventful but moderate :57 first half. Just after Hidalgo took charge from Go Ahead Makemyday on approach to the far turn, Onajetplane latched onto third-over cover behind Go Boom and Mountcastle and was towed into contention at the 1:25.3 three-quarter stage.
McCarthy switched the Noel Daley trainee off cover in upper stretch, and he responded with a powerful :26.4 stretch kick to upend Go Ahead Makemyday (David Miller) by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:53, shaving over two seconds off his previous career best. Hidalgo (Gingras) was a beaten third.
ONAJETPLANE REPLAY
“We just had to take our time with him,” said Daley, who shares ownership of Onajetplane, now a two-time winner in six career starts with $139,500 in the bank, with Sjoblom Racing Inc., LA Express Stable and Joonas Jarvinen. “He’s always been very genuine; it’s just a matter of him getting squared away, and he seems to have done it now.”
Daley also indicated that a combination of a patient drive from McCarthy and racing Onajetplane barefoot likely contributed to his New Jersey Classic victory.
“You can’t get away with it all the time, but the track was good tonight,” Daley said of his decision to remove Onajetplane’s shoes.
“He’s not the greatest to steer,” Daley continued. “Once (McCarthy) had him straightened out, he’s got a good turn of speed.”
Onajetplane paid $26.00 to win as the fifth choice.
A LITTLE MORE: Andy McCarthy led the driver colony by winning three times on the program, all New Jersey Classic finals. … Big-name trainers took eight of the dashes on the program as Nancy Takter, Brett Pelling, Noel Daley and Ake Svanstedt all had two victories apiece. … Big M TV’s Jessica Otten was on target in the Late 50-cent Pick-4, tabbing the $573.55 payout for a profit of $541.55. … All-source handle on the 14-race program totaled $3,013,372, the 42nd time from 64 programs that betting bettered the $3-million mark this year. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m., the final live card of harness racing at The Big M until Oct. 18.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by James Witherite, for The Meadowlands
