Meadowlands: Graduate starter Amigo Volo easing his way into form

The Graduate Series for 4-year-old trotters gets underway on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Those expecting Amigo Volo, the $1.5 million-winning son of Father Patrick, to be in peak form for the $50,000 opening leg may be a bit disappointed. Amigo Volo made his first start of 2021 last week in a Preferred Handicap and finished eighth, beaten some 10 lengths.

"I was disappointed," said trainer Richard "Nifty" Norman of the race. "He's going to take some time to round into form."

While Norman was disappointed, one of the major questions following Amigo Volo's first race was how the betting public sent him off as the 9-5 favorite in a race with seasoned company.

"I was shocked the gamblers made him the favorite," said Norman, puzzled that people expected the horse that closed out his sophomore campaign in November with 1:50 2/5 victory in the Matron at Dover Downs would be ready for a 1:51 mile right out of the box.

On Saturday (race 10) Amigo Volo makes his second start and once again drew the rail with Dexter Dunn in the sulky. While he should be better than the 10 lengths he finished in arrears in his debut, fans may need to show a bit more caution considering this Graduate division includes Lovedbythemasses (post four), the horse who trotted in 1:51 for trainer Jeff Cullipher in last week's prep, as well as some other significant speedsters, including the 2020 Hambletonian Oaks champion Sorella (post five).

While we're throwing big names out, there is Beads and Get Legs. The former was a 1:50 2/5 blowout performer in a qualifying mile on May 15 for trainer Per Engblom and landed post six as he hopes to keep his gait in place for a full mile. Get Legs, who made an uncommon miscue in his return to the mile track for Andy and Julie Miller in last week's prep, is already a seven-time winner as a 4-year-old and will start from post seven.

The first $50,000 Graduate division on Saturday (race five) finds Charlie Hill Memorial champion It's Academic looking to continue his winning form for trainer Ron Burke. It's Academic drew post four in the field of nine, and the son of Uncle Peter has already flashed extreme speed over the surface at the Meadowlands, with a 1:51 3/5 victory on April 24.

Play Trix On Me returns to race against his own age group in this division, as last year's Breeders Crown runner-up landed post nine for trainer Linda Toscano. Play Trix On Me was a bit overmatched in last Saturday's Cutler Memorial, yet still trotted his mile in 1:51 4/5, indicating he may be ready.

A pair of mares, Ab'sattitudexpress (post two) and Hypnotic AM (post five), have shown the credentials within their respective divisions but may find the going a bit tougher here. Ab'sattitudeexpress is unbeaten in three starts in 2021 for trainer Lucas Wallin. Hypnotic AM finished fourth in her season's debut for trainer Marcus Melander.

Pacing mares will provide the co-feature on Saturday's Big M program, with $37,500 riding in the eighth race, the first leg of a series dubbed the Kissin In The Sand. Norman sends out two of the dozen mares that have been named to race, with Keep Rockin A (post seven) and Bettors Heart N (post 12) perhaps post-compromised.

"Keep Rockin A is a bit of a one-run type," said Norman of the 5-year-old imported daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven.

A surprise winner on May 8 at the Meadowlands in a career-best 1:51 1/5 mile, Keep Rockin A finished third behind Soho Burning Love A in last Saturday's scorching 1:48 2/5 Mares Preferred.

"I think Bettors Heart N will appreciate getting back to the mile track after racing at Yonkers," said Norman of the 8-year-old daughter of Bettor's Delight who will start from the second tier.

The Kissin In The Sand pits Blue Chip Matchmaker winner Machnhope (post one) against Alexa Skye (post three) for the first time since the April 19 battle at Yonkers where Alexa Skye finished off the board for the only time in 2021.

The field also includes two mares trained by Nancy Takter, who conditioned Kissin In The Sand during her magnificent career. Takter sends out JK First Lady (post six), as well as Peaky Sneaky (post eight) in the large field.

The Meadowlands offers 14 races on its Saturday evening program, with first post time listed at 6:20 p.m.