Meadowlands: Filibuster Hanover, Donttellmeagain draw first blood in Graduate Series

Filibuster Hanover made his 2018 debut a winning one in the first of two $50,000 divisions of the Graduate Series at the Meadowlands on Saturday night.

With Yannick Gingras in the bike, the 2-5 favorite was well-positioned early as Western Joe and Highalator dueled through a 26 1/5 opening quarter, contested mostly on the straight. Once Western Joe had command, Gingras waited until the backstretch to put Filibuster Hanover in motion and had no problem securing the front before the 54 second half.

With the chalk on top, others were reluctant to challenge and only 29-1 shot Bags To Riches picked up the long uncovered grind. Gingras relaxed the fractions, with three-quarters in 1:22 3/5 and the mile in a reasonable 1:50 4/5.

With something in reserve, Filibuster Hanover briefly sprinted away, but in the late stages needed some urging to hold the more-seasoned Western Joe at bay by a head in a mile and an eighth time of 2:04. Bags To Riches held on for third.

Ron Burke trains Filibuster Hanover, a gelding by the late Somebeachsomewhere.

Donttellmeagain captured the second $50,000 division for Tim Tetrick, rallying late off a live second-over trip.

Rock N Tony took control from stablemate Lawrencetown Beach through a tepid 27 1/5 opening quarter and was able to control very soft fractions of 56 1/5 and 1:24 3/5 as Mac's Jackpot moved up without cover and Donttellmeagain followed that cover.

Fractions picked up measurably with a fourth quarter of 26 3/5 as Mac's Jackpot wore down the pace-setter, but Donttellmeagain was full of himself as Tim Tetrick called on him to come wide and blow right by the leaders late. Lawrencetown Beach found room inside in late stretch and rallied for the place spot, a nose ahead of a rugged Mac's Jackpot, with the pace-setter Rock N Tony finishing fourth.

Jim King Jr. trains Donttellmeagain for owner Paton Racing Stable. The 4-year-old by Dragon Again returned $10 winning in his 4-year-old debut.

The mile and one eighth distance was covered in 2:04 1/5.