Meadowlands: Field set for Hambletonian Oaks final after three elims

Allegiant and driver Scott Zeron blasted to control on the first turn and posted a mild upset in capturing the first of three $50,000 Hambletonian Oaks eliminations Saturday night at the Meadowlands. A New Jersey-sired daughter of Tactical Landing, Allegiant scored in 1:51 4/5, easily holding off heavily-favored French Champagne, with Paulina Hanover closing for third.

Allegiant and four others in the seven-horse field had their noses on the gate, but Zeron had his filly going faster and out-sprinted Chaparmbro to the opening turn. Soiree Hanover, the second choice with Tim Tetrick, wedged between that pair and had the pocket secured before the 27 3/5 opening quarter. Zeron rated the half kindly in 56 4/5 and waited for challenges. Dexter Dunn, with French Champagne, moved out to go without cover past the half but wasn't gaining much as Zeron accelerated with a 28 second flat third quarter.

Allegiant pulled away from the field in the homestretch, kicking home in 27 seconds flat as French Champagne gained the second spot easily and Paulina Hanover rallied from the back for third. Sadbirdstillsing knifed in along the pylons to finish fourth.

"I've been locked in a few times with her," said Scott Zeron after the wire-to-wire score.

Owned by Ryan Smith and trained by Vernon Beachy, Allegiant was a winner for the third time in seven starts, with the 1:51 4/5 mile a career best. As a 9-2 choice she returned $11.60 to win.

"She's been a real nice filly from day one," said Beachy. "We've tried to get enough starts in her to prepare her for this but not too many."

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Elista Hanover continued her winning form, capturing her tenth straight contest for driver David Miller in the second $50,000 Oaks elimination.

Miller left from mid-pack with Elista Hanover and allowed Drawn Impression and James MacDonald to gain command before the 27 4/5 opening quarter. Miller re-moved the Annie Stoebe-trained Elista Hanover past the quarter and cut a very sensible 57 second opening-half. The fractions picked up some in the third quarter as Andrew McCarthy and Buy A Round made a brisk uncovered move to gain equal terms with the 3-5 favored Elista Hanover as they crossed the three-quarter pole in 1:25 and prepared for the sprint home.

By midstretch Miller had Elista Hanover drawing clear of her rivals as Drawn Impression angled across the track in closing for second. Ake Svanstedt used the pylons to get Warrawee Michelle through for third and Buy A Round settled for fourth and reached the final by virtue of her lifetime bank account.

Elista Hanover stopped the timer in 1:51 3/5, a career best for the International Moni-sired filly that is owned in partnership by R. Lynn and Philomena Curry, along with trainer Stoebe. As the prohibitive choice Elista Hanover returned $3.20 to win.

"It feels like I'm living a dream," said Stoebe, aglow in the winner's circle following the race.

R Melina and driver Todd McCarthy worked their way to the front past the 28 second first quarter and then cruised to victory in the last elimination, posting a 1:51 4/5 mile while comfortably in front of Miss I LA at the wire. Date Night Hanover finished third and Emoji Hanover rallied intensely for fourth but won't return for the $500,000 final.

R Melina left but Miss I La and Joe Bongiorno to her inside left even stronger and took control on the opening bend. R Melina crossed over and then set a sensible 56 2/5 half with little to no movement from the horses following. Only Date Night Hanover and driver Dexter Dunn seemed interested from the back of the field, and they embarked on a long journey as
McCarthy picked up the pace, hitting three-quarters in 1:24 1/5 with no horse coming near R Melina.

In the homestretch R Melina sprinted strongly and Miss I LA kept close tabs on her but was not threatening. The major battle was for minor honors, and Date Night Hanover closed in well enough to get the third spot ahead of Emoji Hanover.

"I got a pretty soft half, and she came a big back-half," said McCarthy.

A daughter of Chapter Seven, R Melina was a winner for the fifth time in eight starts this year for trainer John Butenschoen and owners M & L of Delaware and Alabama Harness Associates. R Melina returned $5.80 to win.

"We're trying to let her be a little happier," said Butenschoen. "Maybe I had her over-rigged."

The draw for the Hambletonian Oaks final will take place at a press conference on Tuesday.