Meadowlands: Dee's Red Delicous upsets in his Kindergarten Classic Series final

Dee's Red Delicous powered past Jack Fire in the deep stretch to capture the $207,570 Kindergarten Classic final for juvenile trotting colts and geldings on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Corey Callahan guided the altered son of Credit Winner to victory for trainer Bruce Saunders.

Royson's Punch and Scott Zeron jetted to the front in the early going and was ahead of 3-5 favorite Lindysmusclemania heading into the opening bend, with Callahan and Dee's Red Delicous settling in fourth at that point. Approaching the opening quarter, which went up on the board in 28 seconds, George Napolitano Jr., who was driving Lindysmusclemania, couldn't keep him trotting, and the colt broke, losing all chance.

Jack Fire and Andy McCarthy quickly seized the front going towards the half and was in control in a very soft 57 4/5 opening half under little dispute. Callahan took Dee's Red Delicous on the march going past the half and was followed on the rim by Zenith Stride.

Jack Fire remained in control at three-quarters in 1:26 2/5, but Callahan started going to work on Dee's Red Delicous to put the pressure on. Through the stretch drive, early leader Royson's Punch was locked in along the pylons and Bee Forever was locked in behind Dee's Red Delicous. Neither would find clearance, but Dee's Red Delicous would gut it out and wear down Jack Fire to score in a 1:54 3/5 clocking. Jack Fire held position for second, with Bee Forever squeezing through for the third spot. Zenith Stride settled for fourth.

Sent off as a 6-1 third choice, Dee's Red Delicous returned $15.40 to win.

A top horse over the New York Sire Stakes circuit this summer, Dee's Red Delicous won for the sixth time in his first year on the track for longtime owner Joseph Martinelli Sr.

Trainer Saunders revealed that Dee's Red Delicious had some respiratory issues in his most recent start but recovered well from treatment. As for the trip to the winner's circle, Saunders said, "He'll hunt a horse down like a hound dog."

Dee's Red Delicous is eligible to the Valley Victory in two weeks at the Meadowlands.