Meadowlands: High marks for Melander pupils in Kindergarten Classic

Marcus Melander shined brightest at the Meadowlands Friday night, as his trainees scored three times among the 10 divisions of the first leg of the Kindergarten Classic for 2-year-olds of both sexes and gait.

Swedish import Moonstone was the first winner of the night for Melander in the third race colts and geldings trot. The son of Muscle Hill-Moonlight Kronos, who finished second in the Aug. 8 Peter Haughton Memorial, pulled the pocket after the half and sailed off to an easy 2 1/2 length score as the 6-5 favorite with Tim Tetrick driving. He recorded his first win in five lifetime starts after stopping the clock in 1:55.

Melander and Brian Sears teamed up to take the fourth race filly trot with Ineffable, a daughter of Cantab Hall-Jolene Jolene, who won for the second time in five lifetime tries. The 6-5 public choice, who was third in the Aug. 8 Jim Doherty Memorial, emerged from the pocket to win by a half-length in 1:56 2/5.

In race seven, Melander completed his three-bagger with a second score in a colts and geldings trot as his Sonofamistery, with Sears driving, rolled to an easy 1 3/4 length win in 1:56 1/5 after racing parked out for the final half-mile. The son of Muscle Hill-Mistery Woman, who broke in each of his first two seasonal starts, paid $3.00 after being sent off as the heavy 1-2 favorite. He's now won twice from four outings.

In other Kindergarten action, Lindysmusclemania stayed perfect in three starts after taking a division for trotting colts and geldings. The Ake Svanstedt-trained son of Muscle Hill-Possessed By Lindy hit the wire in a lifetime-best 1:54 4/5 and 3 1/2 lengths to the good with Andy Miller driving the 6-5 favorite.

--press release (Meadowlands)--