Meadowlands: Atlanta powers away in Steele Memorial

Atlanta and driver Yannick Gingras put away pace-setter When Dovescry at headstretch and stormed home powerfully to capture the $187,400 Dr. John R. Steele Memorial for trotting mares at the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon. Atlanta cruised to a 1:50 4/5 victory with a 26 1/5 final quarter.

Atlanta got away fourth in the early stages as Hypnotic AM and Brian Sears left to the top into the first turn. When Dovescry and driver David Miller worked hard to clear the top at the 27 second opening quarter but managed to slow the pace at a comfortable rate, hitting the half in 56 2/5. Gingras waited until the half to begin a coverless grind, as Next Level Stuff and Morairtime followed her cover the final half.

The pace picked up in a major way on the final turn as Atlanta applied intense pressure to the favorite, who passed three quarters in 1:24 3/5, but from that point it turned into a one-mare race. Gingras called on Atlanta, and the 6-year-old hit high gear quickly and left the race a battle for the place spot. In that battle, longshot Felicityshagwell S and Ake Svanstedt rallied off the pylons to a second-place finish, with Next Level Stuff leveling off and finishing third.

Atlanta is owned by Crawford Farms Racing, Bradley Grant, and Howard Taylor and trained by Ron Burke. As the 3-5 public choice, Atlanta returned $3.40 with the win.

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"It was never in doubt," said Gingras of the outcome. "I have all the confidence in her when she's healthy. First- over doesn't bother me, actually it benefits her."

The victory was the 28th of Atlanta's career, as the daughter of Chapter Seven won on the three-year anniversary of her memorable Hambletonian victory in 2018.