Meadowlands: Fast miles in Graduate action for horses, geldings on the pace

Charlie May tied the track record for a 4-year-old gelding pacer and Bulldog Hanover starred in a 1:47 performance in his Meadowlands debut in the pair of $50,000 Graduate Series tests for the boys on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Carbine (Todd McCarthy) shot out from the pole position to the early lead in the first grouping, but he would be shuffled back to fourth past the 26 1/5 opening quarter as Bettors Donttell (Yannick Gingras), Charlie May (David Miller), and finally Whichwaytothebeach (George Brennan) all brushed by. Whichwaytothebeach was in control before the 53 3/5 half, and then Brennan lived up to his "Minister of Speed" nickname by blazing a 27 second third quarter with the 39-1 shot.

Miller tipped Charlie May to the outside late on the final bend to take a shot at Whichwaytothebeach, and he forged his way by in mid-stretch. Whichwaytothebeach didn't pack it in at all and battled Charlie May all the way home, but Charlie May hit the wire a neck in front. Bettors Donttell wound up third.

Steve Carter trains Charlie May, who matched the Meadowlands mark set by Allywag Hanover and Captain Barbossa last year, for owner/breeder Don Tiger. Charlie May has won 19 times from 35 career starts, pushed his bankroll to $1,265,720, and paid $7.40 to win as the 5-2 favorite. Carbine was the choice in the race but didn't have it tonight and wound up seventh.

In the other division Linedrive Hanover (James MacDonald) and Rockyroad Hanover (McCarthy) got away in first and second, but Bulldog Hanover (Dexter Dunn) drove on two-wide and took over the top spot beyond the 27 second opening quarter. Bulldog Hanover reached the half in 55 seconds and then stepped it up to 1:22 1/5 at three-quarters in order to deal with a first-over thrust by American Courage (Matt Kakaley).

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Bulldog Hanover dispatched American Courage for good in the upper part of the stretch, and behind a sizzling last quarter of 24 4/5, Bulldog Hanover drew off to prevail by two lengths. Linedrive Hanover held off Rockyroad Hanover to finish second, and Abuckabett Hanover (Tim Tetrick) gave the "Hanovers" a sweep of the top four spots.

Co-owner Jack Darling sent Bulldog Hanover, a 4-year-old son of Shadow Play, to race out of Noel Daley's barn in the U.S. Brad Grant co-owns Bulldog Hanover, who has a record of 18-3-1 from 26 trips behind the gate and earnings of $870,417. He was the 2-5 favorite and returned $2.80 to win.