Sophomore stars shine in Big M qualifiers

East Rutherford, NJ – Meadowlands qualifiers were off at 10:00 Saturday morning with a temperature of 57f and a trace wind aiding the harness racing horses in the homestretch.

A strong representation of all divisions of sophomores were featured on the day.

An accomplished field of five really fast colt pacers saw NJSS champ Voukefalas (Lazarus N, Jordan Stratton) wear down a resilient Breeders Crown champ Ammo (David Miller) through a 25.4 on the board final quarter to get the win in 1:52.2.

Handlelikeaporsche (Dexter Dunn) split horses willingly late to be third.

VOUKEFALAS REPLAY

It’s My Show (Scott Zeron) was uber-impressive again, held in mid-pack until unleashed up the inside through the official 26.1 final panel of the 1:54 mile to win while under no urging. Cannibal (Josert Fonseca) led to the 59.2 half, surrendered to Loubet, then re-rallied past that rival late to nab second. Loubet (Yannick Gingras) led through the final turn but could not rebuff the late bids of the top two.

Ervin Hanover (Gingras) rallied wide to win in 1:52.1 home in less than the 26.3 that flashed on the timer, staving off the late up the inside surge of Fulton (Dunn). Blue Hunt (Tim Tetrick) also paced hard in the stretch to get third.

Christchurch (Fonseca) won in 1:53.1 / 27.1 on a loose lead the whole way over Command (Todd McCarthy) who offered a mile late rally to be second best today. Lousain Bolt (Gingras) sat a loose pocket to the winner throughout and had no answer when they accelerated.

Just as lunch time drew near, Hungry For Love (D. Miller) rolled up first over, wore down leader Cantgetyououtamymind (Andy McCarthy) then held off the close of stablemate Strong Poison (Gingras) for the win in 1:52.3.

Quick E (T. McCarthy) cut the mile, setting even fractions, then kicked home in 27 to close the 1:52.2 mile, holding the late bid of Odds On Hail Mary (Zeron) at bay for the win.

Colt trotter Air Power impressed this morning, willingly trotting home in 27 flat to distance his rivals in 1:57.1 for Team Melander. Grown Account (Marvin Luna) was next across the wire, just even.

The talented Muscle Hill colt Little Expensive was impressive, trotting home strong in 27.4 out of the pocket to win in 1:56. Tillio’s Action (J. Stratton) was wide in the stretch with good late trot. Point Of Perfect (Gingras) recovered from an early break well, closing up the inside for third.

Ari Ferrari J (Dunn) has come back very well for trainer Tony Alagna and rode along behind mile cutter Espresso (A. Miller) before finishing the 1:55.2 mile in 27.1 with plenty left. Celebrity Bambino (Gingras) followed the winner but could not threaten.

Filly trotter Sadie Hanover (Zeron) has moved forward from her freshman form for Linda Toscano, closing comfortably in the stretch for the 1:56.3 / 28.1 win. Blonde Bombshell (David Miller) willingly closed it up to be a good second with Walner Payton (Dunn) third off a good trip.

Emira Mil IT (A. Svanstedt) just got up in time for a 1:58.2, home in :28.2, win over an even field of sophomore trotting fillies.

The older set was represented as well today. Energetic Hanover (Zeron) was a winner for owner Sam Bowie and trainer Tony Alagna in 1:52.3 home in 26.4 from the pocket under no urging. Hammering Hank (Dunn) had good pace late closing into the quick final panel on his own. Mind Hunter held third after cutting the mile.

Ake Svanstedt put the good trotting mare Ghostintheshell S on the lead and went slow numbers before asking her and she responded with a :28 flat end to a 1:57.1 mile but wasn’t that strong through the wire. Rattle My Cage (Sarah Svanstedt) raged home into the :28 quarter and was gaining fast on the winner but had too much to do. Distance Learning (Dunn) was even and not asked, third best.

Jordan Stratton picked up the drive on Harry Knows IR and held safe in 1:54.3 / 28.3 after cutting moderate fractions. Incommunicado had plenty of trot out of the pocket and just ran out of racetrack for Mrs. Svanstedt to be second. Ambassador Hanover, Balenciaga and Amigo Volo were all OK and finished under minimal urging.

Live racing resumes this evening at 6:20. You can always get a free program on the web.

For complete qualifier results, click here.

by Nick Salvi, for The Meadowlands