Winter Soldier tops lone Valley Victory elimination

Winter Soldier (Face Time Bourbon) was an impressive two-move harness racing winner in the $20,000 Valley Victory elimination for two-year-old trotting colts in Grand Circuit action from the Meadowlands on Saturday night (November 18th).

With both Karl and Security Protected getting byes into the final, the first eight in this nine-horse field advanced and there was little drama when Mosquito (Dave Miller) broke before the start, losing contact with the field. He would be the lone colt to miss next week’s $423,000 final.

Winter Soldier would touch down on the lead between the opening :28.2 quarter and the :57.2 half after being sent up from third by Andy McCarthy, but his lead would be short lived. Race favorite Flying Kronos S (Dexter Dunn) followed Winter Soldier’s move and he led through a 1:26.3 three quarters without facing a real challenge.

With ample clearance, Winter Soldier eased out of the pocket at the head of the lane, and he commenced his assault on the leader. He easily trotted past Flying Kronos S with plenty in reserve to hold the closers at bay.

Daquiri Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) made an impressive late charge from sixth to finish a length back in second with Waterfall (Todd McCarthy) another length back in third. Flying Kronos S. held for fourth.

WINTER SOLDIER REPLAY

Winter Soldier took his fifth win in 11 starts and the Tony Alagna pupil boosted his earnings to more than $97,000 for Pete Alagna of Illinois and Pryde Stables of Ontario, Canada. He paid $6.80 to win as the second choice.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink