Meadowlands: Dancinginthedark M, Venerate rebound with Reynolds victories
Dancinginthedark M and Venerate both bounced back after making breaks in their last races to win the two W.N. Reynolds flights for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.
The first $42,550 division was raced in the midst of an absolute downpour at The Big M, but Dancinginthedark M (Tim Tetrick) didn't let it faze him, moving to the lead before the 55 2/5 half and going to win by a length and a quarter in 1:51 4/5. Take All Comers (David Miller) was the runner-up, and Zenith Stride (Andrew McCarthy) was third.
A homebred for Menhammar Stuteri AB, Dancinginthedark M is trained by Marcus Melander. The colt by Readly Express won for the sixth time from 11 lifetime tries, and he has now put away $131,236. He was the 3-5 favorite and paid $3.20 to win.
Venerate (Andy Miller) floated out from post nine in the other $43,050 tilt, but he couldn't find a seat or cover, so he had to press on first-over towards Sonofamistery (Brian Sears), who grabbed the lead after the 28 second opening quarter. Sonofamistery continued on the engine through a 57 second half and a 1:25 2/5 three-quarters, but Venerate kept making steady progress on the rim, then forged his way by Sonofamistery late in the mile en route to a 1:52 1/5 decision. Sonofamistery rolled into a break after Venerate went by him, but didn't violate any rules and was allowed to keep the place spot, and Locatelli (D. Miller) was third.
"It was really not the way I had mapped it out exactly, but I didn't mind being outside the whole way. I just didn't want to be without cover the whole way, but it worked out fine," said Andy Miller. "I didn't even have to pull the plugs. He felt pretty good."
Julie Miller trains Venerate, a Love You colt, for owners Pinske Stables and Andy Miller Stable Inc. Venerate, who was bred by Steve Stewart and Kemppi Stable, picked up his sixth career victory, and he has now earned $794,439. He was the 3-1 second choice and returned $8.80 to win.