Meadowlands: Fabulous mares in the spotlight Friday
Fresh off trotting the fastest mile in Canadian harness racing history, 2018 Hambletonian winner Atlanta looks to stay unbeaten in five 2019 starts when she pulls into the Meadowlands Friday night for the fourth leg of the Graduate Series for 4-year-olds.
Atlanta, currently second in the weekly Hambletonian/Breeders Crown Top 10 poll, has drawn post 8 in the first of two Graduate divisions and will start out at even-money on the morning-line. Last Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park, the Yannick Gingras-driven, Ron Burke-trained daughter of Chapter Seven-Hemi Blue Chip won the Armbro Flight in an eye-popping 1:50 2/5.
Six Pack, post 4 and 2-1, takes on Fiftydallarbill, post 3 and 5-2, in the second division. The Graduate Series’ finals are on July 6 at the Big M.
Another fabulous female on the Friday card is Caviart Ally, who will start out at 8-5 from post 2 in the third leg of the Rainbow Blue Series with Andy McCarthy in the bike.
Things look easier for the Brett Pelling trainee this time around, as in her last three starts she was defeated by No. 1 in the Top 10 poll Shartin N, who won the Roses Are Red a week ago in 1:49. “She’s only had six starts this year,” said Pelling. “And I’m trying to dodge Shartin a little bit if I can. No one is going to look at Caviart Ally and say the racing is getting to her. I’d almost rather race her than train her.”
In addition to the top-flight Friday night 13-race card, fans of the fifth race 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five have much to look forward to, as the wager’s carryover stands at $113,204.
Last Friday saw the 20-Cent Can-Am Pick-4 take solid play once again, as $50,303 was poured into the pot. Despite two heavy favorites scoring during the sequence, those who cashed winning 20-Cent tickets walked away with $325. Daring bettors who played $1 tickets cashed in for $1,626.
The 50-Cent Pick-4 pool topped $100,000 for the sixth time in the last nine tries, as a total of $117,098 was put in play.
-edited release (Meadowlands)