Meadowlands: First Hambletonian elimination to Crystal Fashion

Crystal Fashion hit high gear in the homestretch and reeled in Atlanta to capture the first of two $100,000 Hambletonian eliminations at the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon. Tim Tetrick guided the Jim Campbell-trained gelding to a world record 1:50 1/5 (3-year-old gelding on a mile track) clocking.

As expected, there was plenty of action on the opening bend as four horses left the gate, including Wolfgang and Atlanta. Scott Zeron, behind Atlanta, sent his filly three-wide, and she cruised to the front in a first quarter of 26 seconds ahead of Lawmaker. Met's Hall settled in third, and Wolfgang reluctantly had to take a hole in fourth.

Zeron was sitting chilly in the bike, and Atlanta appeared on a speed mission of her own as she was all alone through a half in a staggering 53 2/5 and three-quarters in 1:21 1/5, but the appearance of a one-horse race rapidly started to diminish entering the homestretch.

Despite a long lead Atlanta's steps were starting to shorten, and Crystal Fashion with Tetrick were energized, coming wide on the final turn and making up ground impressively to nail the pacemaker right on the wire. Atlanta finished second with Met's Hall third. Evaluate and Hat Trick Habit rounded out those who move on to the final. Wolfgang struggled to advance on the rim, then weakened in the stretch and finished sixth.

"My horse raced great," said Tetrick after the race. "He's been good all season."

Sent off at 4-1, Crystal Fashion is owned by Fashion Farms, and with the victory won for the sixth time in nine starts this year.

"I left it up to Timmy (Tetrick), and he made the right call," said Jim Campbell, the winning trainer. "We're only half way there."