Meadowlands: Big night on tap Saturday
Fields have been drawn for the 2017 Meadowlands Pace and Graduate Finals, all on the Saturday card at The Meadowlands, which also features the 2017 debut of 2-year-old champion trotter Walner.
Thirteen sophomore pacers were declared for the Pace which, per race conditions, resulted in byes being offered to and accepted by the connections of Downbytheseaside, Classic Pro and Miso Fast, as three of the top 2017 money winners. The remaining 10 horses will race in a $50,000 single elimination race on Saturday (7/8) with seven of those advancing to a complete a field of 10 for the $738,550 Final on July 15.
Huntsville, despite being the second leading money winner thus far in 2017, drew post position one on Saturday when trainer Ray Schnittker elected to race rather than accept a bye.
The elimination race winner will draw for an inside post (1-6) for the final.
The Pace Elimination will go as the eighth race on Saturday night's card.
Two very competitive Graduate Finals worth $240,00 each were also drawn for Saturday. Marion Marauder, the 2016 Hambletonian winner, was dealt a serious blow to his chances with post nine in the Trot Final (race 9). Dr J Hanover (post 4) and Sintra (post 6), both multiple leg winners in the Pace division, seek to close out the series with a win.
With his issues seemingly behind him and fresh off two spectacular qualifiers, Walner, everyone’s leading candidate to win the Hambletonian, will make his first pari-mutuel start of 2017 in the second race on Saturday. The Linda Tsocano trainee starts from post two in what looks like a very easy spot with Tim Tetrick in the bike.
Also in action on the 12-race program with an early 6:30 p.m. post time is Older Pacing Champion Lady Shadow (post 9) in a $20,000 Preferred Handicap (race 7). The earlier post time means an altered wagering menu, with the Pick 5 moving to race 3, the early Pick 4 to race 5 and the late Pick 4 to race 9. All three wagers will see an increase in guarantee amounts for July 15, with the Pick 5 at $30,000, early Pick 4 at $40,000, and the late Pick 4 at $75,000.
Race 8 – Meadowlands Pace Elimination
| Post | Horse | Listed Driver |
| 1 | Huntsville | Tim Tetrick |
| 2 | Talent Soup | Eric Abbatiello |
| 3 | Mr Varisty | Brett Miller |
| 4 | Blood Line | Mark MacDonald |
| 5 | R J P | Marcus Miller |
| 6 | Santafe’s Coach | David Miller |
| 7 | Mac’s Jackpot | David Miller |
| 8 | Boogie Shuffle | Scott Zeron |
| 9 | Western Hill | Doug McNair |
| 10 | Filibuster Hanover | Yannick Gingras |
Race 9 - $240,000 Graduate Trot Final
| Post | Horse | Listed Driver |
| 1 | Broadway Donna | David Miller |
| 2 | Cufflink Hanover | Corey Callahan |
| 3 | Trolley | Marcus Miller |
| 4 | Tight Lines | Jeff Gregory |
| 5 | Dayson | Yannick Gingras |
| 6 | Dia Monde | Jody Jamieson |
| 7 | Warrawee Roo | Dan Dube |
| 8 | Double L Lindy | Ake Svanstedt |
| 9 | Marion Marauder | Scott Zeron |
Race 10 - $240,000 Graduate Pace Final
| Post | Horse | Listed Driver |
| 1 | Artmagic | David Miller |
| 2 | Lyons Snyder | Scott Zeron |
| 3 | Roll Away Joe | Matt Kakaley |
| 4 | Dr J Hanover | Doug McNair |
| 5 | Seeley Man | Brett Miller |
| 6 | Sintra | Jody Jamieson |
| 7 | Manhattan Beach | Tim Tetrick |
| 8 | Boston Red Rocks | Brett Miller |
| 9 | Check Six | Yannick Gingras |
| 10 | Western Fame | Mark MacDonald |
-with files from Meadowlands