Voukefalas headed for $400,000 Governor’s Cup

Harness racing trainer Michael Russo has confirmed that Voukefalas (Lazarus N) next start will be in the eliminations for the $400,000 Governor’s Cup at the Meadowlands on Nov. 19.

Voukefalas is the fastest and richest son of world champion Lazarus N. He has a race record of 1:50, three wins in six starts and earnings of $231,088.

In his last start this past Sunday (Oct. 16), Voukefalas finished off the board for the first time in his career with a fourth place finish in a $46,100 division of the John Simpson Stakes at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

“He came out fine after the race,” Russo said. “Was I expecting more out of him, yes and no. Honestly it was an awful position. And you had a bunch of 2nd tier drivers driving like it was a 15k claimer. I thought going in that the two (Just Bet It All) was the horse to beat.

“Jordan (Stratton) and I were not willing to gut him going for the lead in a $40,000 race,” Russo added. “We were hoping to maybe float and get a drop but that was not materializing. With all that said, I thought he could have been 2nd even with the bad trip but he did what he could do that day.”

As for the future with Voukefalas, Russo said. “The Governor’s Cup is his next race, possibly a qualifier or two before that.”

Voukefalas was bred and is owned by Michael Pagonas of Saddle River, NJ.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink