Meadowlands: Courtly Choice up from second-over to capture Meadowlands Pace

Courtly Choice, a supplemental entrant, came on after a second-over trip and won Saturday night's $701,830 Meadowlands Pace for 3-year-old pacing colts at the Meadowlands in 1:47 1/5. It was the first triumph in the race for Hall of Fame driver David Miller, trainer Blake MacIntosh, and provided co-owner Daniel Plouffe a measure of redemption for Blissfull Hall's locked-in trip in 1999.

Starting from post five, Courtly Choice was unhurried away from the gate, settling in the sixth position behind tucking-in post ten starter Dorsoduro Hanover (Matt Kakaley). Meanwhile, American History (Yannick Gingras), Jimmy Freight (Louis-Philippe Roy), and Hayden Hanover (Andy Miller) all charged off the wings. Hayden Hanover worked around Jimmy Freight for the top at the 26 second opening quarter, but Gingras brought American History to the outside, and he would become the new leader.

In the backstretch Dorsoduro Hanover made a second move, coming first-up on the way to the 53 second half, giving Courtly Choice a second-over trip and Stay Hungry (Doug McNair) a third-over trip. Dorsoduro Hanover continued his advance around the final bend, and he was almost on even terms with American History at the 1:20 3/5 three-quarters, with the horses in the cover flow licking their chops for the stretch drive.

Dorsoduro Hanover forged his way past a tiring American History and looked like he might pull a big upset, but Miller cut Courtly Choice loose, and he would not be denied, getting up to win by about a length and a half. Dorsoduro Hanover did hold second gamely over Stay Hungry, with Jimmy Freight fourth and Thinkbig Dreambig (Jordan Stratton) rallying for fifth.

"That was really sweet," beamed David Miller. "The couple horses that I thought would leave from the outside left, and I was able to get Matt in front of me. Nobody else moved, so I was second-over in the last turn. I was real happy with my spot. Dorsoduro Hanover took me right into the homestretch. I pulled the plugs on my horse and asked him and halfway through the stretch I thought he was going to hang on.

MacIntosh trains Courtly Choice, an Art Major colt, for owners Hutt Racing Stable, Mac And Heim Stables, Plouffe, and Touch Stone Farms. This was Courtly Choice's eighth career victory, and he has now earned $524,511. He was the 6-5 favorite after winning his elimination and paid $4.40 to win.

"If it wasn't for Daniel Plouffe, I wouldn't have asked the other owners," MacIntosh said about the decision to supplement Courtly Choice. "He was game and wanted to do it, and I thank him.

"“We might supplement to the Cane Pace. I have to talk to the owners.”