Meadowlands: Fields set for Valley Victory, Governor's Cup after eliminations

Chin Chin Hall and driver Peter Wrenn moved to the front down the backstretch and never looked back as a 10-1 offering in capturing one of two $20,000 Valley Victory eliminations for 2-year-old male trotters at the Meadowlands on Saturday night. The gelded son of Cash Hall, a half-brother to the noted sire Cantab Hall, scored in 1:54 4/5, a career-best.

No Drama Please secured the lead in a 29-second opening quarter, but Wrenn wasted little time in moving Chin Chin Hall from fourth and sprinting to the front. Off a half in 58 seconds, he was to keep command of the fractions, with 6-5 favorite Seven Hill making slow progress in a long first-over grind. Corey Callahan had Seven Hills on even terms with Chin Chin Hall at three-quarters in 1:27 1/5, and the lead seemed in danger, but Wrenn called on his charge and got the power needed to sprint home in 27 3/5 for the victory. Seven Hills gamely held on for the place spot in a three-way photo, with Forbidden Trade edging Reign Of Honor late for the show spot. No Drama Please also advanced to the final from this division.

Owned by Gene Oldford Farms Inc. and David McDuffee, Chin Chin Hall won for the second time in six career starts. It was his first start after a fifth-place finish in the Breeders Crown final.

Trix And Stones surprised his Valley Victory elimination rivals, going wire-to-wire for driver Scott Zeron in 1:55 1/5. Zeron seized control with the New Jersey-sired son of Trixton and cut out fractions of 28 2/5, 58 4/5 and 1:28, taking on pressure from 3-5 favorite Hudson River from the half on. In the stretch Trix And Stones sprinted home in 27 1/5 and was able to easily hold off Southwind Avenger, with Hudson River holding third. Quiksilvr Bluechip and Divine Spirit were far back in fourth and fifth, respectively, and qualified for the final.

It was just the second win in 13 career starts for Trix And Stones. He is trained by Carl Jamieson, who also co-owns him with Joanne Morrison and Dr. Robert Boyce, all of Ontario. Trix And Stones as a 6-1 offering.

Mangogh took the uncovered route for Callahan to post the upset in the single $20,000 Governor's Cup elimination for rookie pacing colts and geldings. The Western Ideal-sired colt marched up after favored Captain Crunch took the lead past the 27 2/5 first quarter and went on to the half in 55 1/5.

Mangogh joined the leader at three-quarters in 1:23 2/5 and just kept plugging along, eventually wearing down the Breeders Crown winner, and then holding pocket-sitter Escapetothebeach off barely for the 1:51 3/5 decision. Mac's Power rallied boldly late for third, with Reigning Deo also closing for fourth. Captain Crunch finished fifth with Waterway sixth. Seventh-place finisher Arties Ideal interfered with Yacht Week and was set back behind him, placing Yacht Week in the final.

The advancing horses will be joined in next Saturday night's final by Blood Money, Semi Tough, and Sugar Factory, who all accepted byes.

Owned by M & L of Delaware LLC. and M & M Harness Racing LLC., Mangogh won for the fifth time in 14 starts this year for trainer Bruce Saunders.