Meadowlands: Harris trainees step up to Preferred company this weekend

Trainer Andrew Harris will send out twenty percent of his racing stable this weekend at the Meadowlands, with horses entered at the top rung of the East Rutherford, New Jersey, track's class ladder on Friday and Saturday nights.

Deltasun A, a winner in two of his last three starts at the Meadowlands, joins the Preferred ranks on Friday night against the best trotters on the grounds in a $42,000 event. On Saturday night the rugged Tyga Hanover meets five rivals in the $42,000 Preferred for the best pacers in New Jersey.

"It's a step up for sure," said Harris regarding Deltasun A's classification on Friday night. "He's so good right now that if he can be forwardly-placed and get the absolute perfect trip, I think he can win."

Deltasun A comes off a powerful 1:54 victory two weeks ago at the Meadowlands where he wired the field. The 8-year-old import has done some of his best racing over the mile track in New Jersey, including a 1:51 4/5 effort earlier this year, and may be capable of stepping up in class during the winter months.

"He's a horse with allergies, and I think he's better in the colder weather," said Harris, who co-owns Deltasun A along with Michael Goldberg Racing LLC.

Deltasun A drew post two in Friday's 10th race that was handicapped with stalwarts JL Cruze (post six) and Chin Chin Hall (post seven) landing outside given their recent form. Chin Chin Hall came from well off-the-pace to win in this class last week at the Meadowlands in a 1:52 3/5 clocking. JL Cruze, a $1.6 million career earner, is approaching six-figures in seasonal earnings for trainer Eric Ell. The 10-year-old JL Cruze is seeking his 45th career win.

Pappy Go Go drew into the 12th race on Friday night, and Harris likes his chances.

"He should be ready to drop and pop," said Harris of the veteran that's been racing primarily at Plainridge Racecourse over the last few months. "He's always done well for us."

Pappy Go Go landed post six in a field of eight in the non-winners of $10,000 last five class after racing in the Open Handicap at Dover Downs on November 30 in his return to the Harris stable.

On Saturday night Tyga Hanover steps up in class as far as the purse is concerned, but his trainer believes otherwise.

"He was racing primarily against high-priced claimers in last, so I don't think it's a step up for him," said Harris. "He's my favorite in the stable because no matter what he's always gaining ground in the stretch."

Tyga Hanover was a 42-1 shot despite having the rail in last week's battle against a field of mostly $150,000 claimers and was just a head off in second behind Vettel N in a 1:49 1/5 clocking. This week, Tyga Hanover drew the rail in the 13th race and meets five others, including Backstreet Shadow, who will be making his first competitive start since August for the Ron Burke stable. Backstreet Shadow was, at that time, facing the cream of the aged pacing crop, having finished third just a half-length behind Catch The Fire in the Dan Patch at Harrah's Hoosier Park. Backstreet Shadow drew post five in this compact field.

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Harris hopes to find the winner's circle earlier on Saturday night with Our Max Phactor N (post five), who will be going in the seventh race, a conditioned event for non-winners of $7,000 last five.

"He's just a horse you can't put on the front-end," said Harris, referring to the most recent fifth-place finish in a higher conditioned event at Harrah's Philadelphia. The trainer feels confident that the 9-year-old by Art Major will respond favorably off cover, especially with the drop in class.

Though JK Will Power landed the rail on Saturday night, Harris feels the veteran pacer may need a bit more time to regain winning form.

"I think he needs a start or two and a drop in class," said Harris of his entrant in the 11th race.

As for Beantown Sporty, a 4-year-old and one-time $100K yearling purchase that will be making just his 14th lifetime start, there appears to be a nice upside.

"He's a young horse with a lot of potential," said Harris, who has been changing equipment on Beantown Sporty and believes the horse is now headed in the right direction after making breaks in stride in two of his last four outings. Beantown Sporty drew the rail in Saturday's finale, a division of the Fall Harvest Series.

The Meadowlands will race Friday and Saturday starting at 6:20 p.m. Both of the weekend cards offer 14 wagering opportunities and a pair of $50,000 guaranteed Pick 4 pools in races six and 10.