Meadowlands: Atlanta dominant in Joie De Vie blowout

Atlanta had to come a long way without cover, but that didn't appear to bother her one bit, as she stormed away from all rivals to capture Saturday's $156,000 Joie De Vie for mare trotters at the Meadowlands in 1:51 1/5 over a track rated good.

The race pitted Atlanta against the 2020 Hambletonian winner Ramona Hill, but the duel failed to take place as Ramona Hill broke behind the gate and never contended. Once the gate did open, Gingras just sent Atlanta away for position and let Hypnotic AM and Morairtime vie for the early lead, with the latter in control through the 27 2/5 opening quarter.

Brian Sears wanted no part of the pocket with Hypnotic AM and re-moved the 4-year-old mare past the quarter, just ahead of When Dovescry with David Miller, who had gotten away in good order from the second tier and wanted control. Hypnotic AM strung out When Dovescry to the 56 1/5 half-mile pole before releasing, and that's when Atlanta and Gingras began a strong bid on the outside, getting to the flank of the pacemaker by the 1:24 4/5 three-quarters.

As Atlanta had done just a week earlier when chasing When Dovescry, Gingras called on the 6-year- old Atlanta, and the mare just took off and sprinted home to a decisive victory with a 26 2/5 final quarter. When Dovescry valiantly held off Hpnotic AM for the place spot.

"She's feeling so good now," said Gingras following the race. "I called on her at the head of the stretch, and she took off like a pacer."

Owned by Crawford Farms Racing, Brad Grant and Howard Taylor, Atlanta was a winner for the 27th time in her spectacular career. Trained by Ron Burke, Atlanta returned $3.80 as the public choice.