Meadowlands: Atlanta sharp in Burke debut, Greenshoe impresses

The stars were certainly out on Saturday morning for qualifying races at the Meadowlands. The dashes were contested on a very windy morning over a track that was dry but dulled a bit by overnight rains. A steady and strong wind was blowing hard across the track, helping most around the final turn and somewhat against them in the stretch, with the temperature at 54 degrees when they began at 10:00 a.m.

The great Hambletonian-winning filly Atlanta (sans trotting hopples made) her first appearance today for her new trainer Ron Burke, with Yannick Gingras at the controls, and she was fabulous. Sent out to the front from post eight, Atlanta set all the fractions in a 1:52 3/5 mile, final-half in 55 2/5 and into the wind last quarter of 27 3/5 with no urging. The Veteran (Scott Zeron) was impressive in his first go-around to hold second over an clearly in-hand Cruzado Dela Noche (Brian Sears). Crawford Farms, Brad Grant and Howard Taylor own the trotting queen.

Marcus Melander brought his imposing team of sophomore colt trotters up for the day, and clearly the most impressive performance of the morning from his string was turned in by the enigmatic Greenshoe (Sears), who looked composed and imposing at the same time. Greenshoe trotted an impressive 1:54 1/5 mile with a back-half in 56 seconds and a 28 1/5 final quarter well under wraps, leaving his competition in some disarray 20 or more lengths in arrears. The Father Patrick colt is insanely talented and can certainly trot with anyone if he can keep his focus on business for owner Anders Ström’s nom de course, Courant, Inc.

Melander’s Dan Patch Award and Breeders Crown-winning Gimpanzee (Sears), who sat last of the field of six and closed some late, watched as Hudson River (Marcus Johansson) set even fractions in an easy 1:57 2/5 win over Captain Krupnik (Ake Svanstedt) and a closing Southwind Avenger (Dexter Dunn).

Gerry (Melander) put in a solid front-stepping 1:56 3/5 effort, closing it out in 28 1/5 under no urging. Soul Strong (Svanstedt) closed a bit up the inside to take the place over pocket-sitter No Drama Please (Tim Tetrick). Gerry is owned by SRF Stable.

The Millers (Andy and Julie) opened the day with the good Father Patrick filly French Café cutting the mile for Andy to a 1:58 win off a 1:01 3/5 half and 1:30 three-quarters. Sister’s Promise (Tetrick) was second and Susy (Zeron) third. For perspective, she trotted in 1:55 4/5 / 27 second last quarter in her first try two weeks ago. Julie trains the winner for owners/breeders Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld.

Evident Beauty (David Miller) looked sharp in her first effort for trainer Nifty Norman this year, passing fillies from well back in the stretch for a 1:57 4/5 tally, with a wind-compromised 30 second final quarter on the board. Winndevie (Trond Smedshammer) was second, and Whispering Oaks (Zeron) third. The White Birch Farm-bred Trixton filly was a multiple Grand Circuit winner at The Red Mile last fall for owners Mel Hartman, Little E and R A W Equine.

The pacers began with the seventh and Captaintreacherous sired the winner of the first two sophomore colt races. Major Deception (Tetrick) was a winner in 1:55 3/5, leading through the 56 2/5 closing-half comfortably and holding on over No Mas Amor (Gingras). Tony Alagna is the trainer, while In The Gym Partners (John Fodera & Steve Wienick), Martha Frank, Robert LeBlanc, Steve Head and Joe Sbrocco own the colt.

Captain Victorious (Gingras) was giant in his first start from the Burke barn. He set a solid pace, then closed out a remarkable 1:51 1/5 mile in 27 2/5 with mild encouragement from the driver. Best In Show (Tetrick) was a good second and Dancin Lou (Matt Kakaley) third.

Major March (D. Miller) raced right back to his good mile behind Captain Crunch last week with an effortless 1:52 1/5 / 27 2/5 final quarter daylight win over a closing Buddy Hill (Sears) and Escapetothebeach (Tetrick). Linda Toscano trains the Art Major colt for Bay Pond Racing.

Last year’s top freshman filly Warrawee Ubeaut (Gingras) has come back beautifully for Burke, and the Sweet Lou lass was an easy 1:53 2/5 winner, settling nicely off-the-pace early and rolling by good fillies late under her own power. Odds On Clearwater (Dunn) and St Somewhere (D. Miller) followed the winner, who is owned by Burke, Collura, Silva, Purnell & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi.

Youaremycandygirl (Gingras) closed in tandem with 3-year-old Treacherous Reign (Dunn) nip Percy Bluechip (Matt Kakaley) in 1:53 1/5. Bill Donovan owns the mare and Ron Burke trains.

Done Well was scary-good in the last today, dragging Dexter Dunn around in 1:50 4/5 to win by seven over a really good bunch of horses. Dorsoduro Hanover (Kakaley) left into play from post 10 and raced well for second, with Filibuster Hanover (Gingras) completing the Burke sweep.

--press release (the Meadowlands)--