Harness: Lazarus sparkles in qualifier at Meadowlands

The ‘Down Under Wonder’ Lazarus lived up to the hype in his first charted North American race. It was only a qualifier, but the Jimmy Takter trainee put forth a visually impressive 1:48 3/5 winning performance while defeating North America Cup champion Lather Up in the process.

Lather Up, racing for the first time since suffering the only defeat of his 2018 season in the $500,000 Max Hempt at The Downs at Pocono, was fast off the gate and took charge in a 28 2/5 opening quarter. With Montrell Teague at the controls, Lather Up would cruise past the half in 55 3/5 while well within himself as Lazarus tracked under a tight hold from driver Yannick Gingras in the pocket.

Passing the midway point of the final turn, Gingras unleashed Lazarus and he accelerated with ease to the front, stopping the timer in 1:23 at three quarters and allowed to cruise home at his own pace across the wire (25 3/5 last quarter). Lather Up took aim again in the stretch and finished willingly for second.

“I was very impressed,” said Gingras. “He couldn’t have done it any easier.”

Takter, who mentioned he would like to get Lazarus into a race on Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands (August 4), simply said, “He’s the real deal.”

[UPDATE: Takter announced on Saturday night at The Meadowlands that he would likely supplement Lazarus to the Dan Patch at Hoosier Park on August 10 and bypass a start at The Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day.]

Lazarus is a 6-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight owned by Taylor Made Stallions. He earned $2,665,550 prior to arriving in North America in May.

Lather Up is expected to head to Ohio next to race on August 4 in the Ohio State Fair at Scioto Downs. After that he’ll move on to Northfield Park for the $400,000 Milstein Memorial.

Other qualifying notables

Older pacing mare Pure Country rated nicely on the lead (28 4/5, 56 3/5 and 1:25 3/5) before sprinting home in 26 1/5 to win her qualifier in 1:51 3/5. Three-year-old pacing filly Kissin In The Sand sat the pocket and finished up under a hold to be second.

The undefeated 2-year-old trotting colt Greenshoe kept his act together once the gate started rolling at full speed and brushed to the front at the half en route to an easy 1:55 1/5 victory with Brian Sears at the controls.