Meadowlands: Cruzado Dela Noche upsets in Cutler Memorial

Last year's Yonkers International Trot winner Cruzado Dela Noche kicked off his 2019 campaign with a victory in tonight's $175,200 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial for open trotters at the Meadowlands. Cruzado Dela Noche, carrying the driving colors of owner Courant Inc., completed the mile and an eighth journey in 2:07 3/5.

At the start of the race, I Know My Chip (Victor Kirby) showed his usual early speed from post nine, and he would lead his 11 rivals to the opening quarter in 26 3/5. Trolley (Marcus Miller) was parked at that point, but forged his way to the lead beyond that marker. That left Yes Mickey (Ake Svanstedt) first-over and Cruzado Dela Noche (Brian Sears) second-over.

The horses remained that way to the half in 56 3/5 and the three-quarters in 1:26 1/5, but Sears fired Cruzado Dela Noche three-wide on the far turn to try and begin to chase down Trolley, with third-over Will Take Charge (Scott Zeron) tracking the three-wide move.

Cruzado Dela Noche and Trolley were locked in battle to the mile mark, which went on the board in 1:54 1/5, but Cruzado Dela Noche out-finished the leader in the final eighth, prevailing by half a length. Will Take Charge, who suffered broken equipment going to the half, was third, followed by post 11 starter Guardian Angel AS (Tim Tetrick) and Yes Mickey. Race favorite Pinkman (Yannick Gingras), who started from post one, got locked in on the rail in mid-pack throughout and could never get involved, even after angling out.

Marcus Melander trains Cruzado Dela Noche, a 7-year-old Muscle Massive stallion. This was his 16th career victory, and he has now earned $1,301,872. Dispatched at 8-1, Cruzado Dela Noche returned $19.00.