Meadowlands: Greenshoe demonstrates his power in New Jersey Sire Stakes romp

The mercurial but wickedly fast and talented Greenshoe demonstrated why he is a major threat for the Hambletonian by winning his $25,000 division of the first leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male trotters on Friday night at the Meadowlands in an eye-catching 1:51 2/5.

Driven by Brian Sears, Greenshoe was safe behind the gate and then away from it, settling in fourth as Sheena's Boy (Ake Svanstedt) shot through from post one to the point. Sheena's Boy led at every call from there, ripping through unchallenged fractions of 28 1/5, 56 2/5, and 1:24 1/5, but Greenshoe, who came first-over on the last turn, rolled up to him in the lane, then blew right by him, using a 26 2/5 final quarter to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Sheena's Boy wound up second, with Battenberg (Corey Callahan) third.

“His manners were good,” said Sears. “We were happy with him. He was a little high-strung while scoring before the race, but then he came back to me. He relaxed after that. I think he’s starting to get it. I took a peek and saw they were going a little bit. When I tipped him, he went up there.

“He’s a natural. He’s got some gears that most horses don’t have.”

The New Jersey Sire Stakes champion for the group at the Meadowlands last year despite his breaking woes, Greenshoe is a Father Patrick colt trained by Marcus Melander for owner Courant Inc. This was Greenshoe's third career win, and he has now earned $89,223. He was the 1-2 favorite and paid $3.00 to win.

There was a 15-1 upset in the other male trot split as Soul Strong (Yannick Gingras), wore down leader No Drama Please (Tim Tetrick) from first-up in the lane and scored by a length in 1:53. Galixton (Ake Svanstedt) crossed the wire fourth, but was placed up to third when original third-place finisher Trix And Stones (Scott Zeron) violated the breaking rules in the lane and was moved back to sixth.

Svanstedt trains Soul Strong, a gelded son of Father Patrick, for owner Stable Why Not. Soul Strong is now a two-time winner from ten career tries, and he has pocketed $33,915. He returned $33.60 to win.

On the filly trot side of the ledger, it was Evident Beauty (David Miller) and Queen Of Trixs (Andrew McCarthy) posting the victories in their $25,000 tilts.

Evident Beauty watched from third as French Cafe (Zeron) strolled through opening-half stations of 28 2/5 and 58, then came first-over going to the 1:26 4/5 three-quarters. Evident Beauty struck the front in the lane, then held safe to the wire over a closing Starita (Gingras), prevailing by a length in 1:53 3/5. French Cafe wound up third.

Evident Beauty, a filly by Trixton, is trained by Nifty Norman for owners Melvin Hartman, Little E LLC., and R A W Equine Inc. Evident Beauty made her fourth appearance in the winner's circle, and she pushed her bankroll to $260,692. She was the 8-5 favorite and paid $5.20 to win.

Queen Of Trixs landed fourth to the 30 second opening quarter, but then brushed to the lead around Marveloustrix (Steve Smith) on the way to the 59 4/5 half. After making front, nobody could challenge Queen Of Trixs, as she cruised through three-quarters in 1:28 3/5 and then was in-hand to win in 1:55 4/5. Marveloustrix held second, 2 1/2 lengths back, with Whispering Oaks (Gingras) third.

Another Trixton lass, Queen Of Trixs is trained by Lucas Wallin for owner Mario Mazza. She now owns a trio of triumphs in her career, and she has earned $26,200. A 6-1 offering, Queen Of Trixs returned $14.00 to win.

Driver Daniel Dube and trainer John McDermott teamed up to win both pacing events, which were non-betting races held before the main card, with colt Hurrikane Emperor (1:53 2/5) and filly Hurrikane Lori Ann (1:54).

Hurrikane Emperor, who won both the New Jersey Sire Stakes and Kentucky Sire Stakes finals last year, the latter in 1:49 3/5, is a son of Hurrikane Kingcole. He was bred by Jonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing LLC., and Pegasis Investment Group, and they now share ownership with William Garofalo. Hurrikane Emperor has a record of 8-1-0 from ten lifetime tries and has stashed away $237,900.

A daughter of Lis Mara, Hurrikane Lori Ann is owned by Klee, Kuhen, and Pegasis. This was her second career win, and she has banked $50,415.

--quotes courtesy of the Meadowlands--