Meadowlands: Dayson wins Townsend Ackerman for Southwind Frank connections

Trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras have to be hoping Friday night's Townsend Ackerman triumph with Dayson at the Meadowlands is a sign of things to come from Southwind Frank in Saturday's Hambletonian as Dayson matched the fastest mile this year by a 3-year-old trotter thanks to a 1:51 2/5 performance.

Gingras had Dayson, who was not eligible to the Hambletonian, up to grab the lead at the 55 1/5 half, and after a 1:23 3/5 three-quarters, Dayson scooted home in 27 3/5 to tally by four lengths. Cufflink Hanover (Dave Miller) finished second and Deep Impact (John Campbell) was third.

Dayson, a Conway Hall gelding, is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC., Our Horse Cents Stables, J&T Silva Stables, LLC., and Rossie Smith. This was Dayson's 13th win from 17 career starts, and he has now earned $314,470. Sent off at 5-2, Dayson paid $7.00.

The other Townsend Ackerman division went to Taco Tuesday (Scott Zeron), who followed favored Hititoutofthepark (Corey Callahan) from second-over, and then rallied past in the final strides to score by a neck in 1:53 1/5. Southwind Flash (Gingras) was three-parts of a length back in third.

Frank Antonacci trains Taco Tuesday, a gelding by Cantab Hall, for owners Lindy Farms Of Conn, Robert Rudolph, and Frank Baldassare. Taco Tuesday now has three career triumphs and earnings of $110,775. Dispatched at 9-1, Taco Tuesday returned $21.60

Sophomore trotting fillies were also in action on Hambletonian eve in a pair of $30,000 Duenna events. In the first of those contests, Miss Tezsla (Brett Miller) forged her way into the lead from first-over past the 1:27 2/5 three-quarters, then out-sprinted Gin And Lindy (Tim Tetrick) to the wire to win by a neck in 1:54 2/5. Southwind Hope (Andy Miller) took third.

The winner is a daughter of Andover Hall trained by Jimmy Takter for owner Miss Teszla Stable. She won for the sixth time, and she has now earned $141,360. A 4-1 shot, Miss Tezsla paid $10.20.

Synonymous Hanover and driver Eric Goodell took the remaining Duenna section in 1:53 2/5, coming from second-over to beat Southwind Pearl (Dave Miller) by one length. Spicedbourbongirl (Jeff Gregory) turned a two-hole ride into a third-place finish.

Chris Oakes is the trainer of the victorious Andover Hall filly for owners Susan Oakes and Scott Bice. Synonymous Hanover picked up her sixth lifetime win, and she now shows a bankroll of $123,198. Synonymous Hanover, sent off at 8-1, paid $18.60.