Meadowlands: Instagram Model is picture perfect in Jim Doherty Memorial

Instagram Model floated off the pegs and powered to the lead to land the victory in the $355,000 Jim Doherty Memorial for 2-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 6) at the Meadowlands.

Instagram Model settled in third while Royal Filly left for the top to a 27 second first quarter. Una Madonna rode the pocket while the field raced mostly in file to a 55 1/5 half. Andy McCarthy made his move with Instagram Model heading to the far turn and marched forward to press Royal Filly to three-quarters in 1:24 3/5.

Royal Filly folded spinning for home, and Instagram Model powered to a widened lead entering the final eighth. Mambacita, the 4-5 favorite, motored from third-over down the center of the course to secure second by a diminishing one length behind Instagram Model's 1:53 lifetime-best effort. Una Madonna shook loose from the pocket to take third, and Graceful Patty rallied for fourth.

"It was perfect today," said McCarthy, who acquired the drive after Instagram Model's usual driver, Scott Zeron, was injured in a recent racing accident. "Post nine last week was just really hard; I didn't want to overuse her last week. But I was happy with the spot today and the way the fractions set up. We got to kind of hide her for a little bit and move her when we needed to. It was great."

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"I take no credit," trainer Annie Stoebe said after the race. "From the first time training her, I told [owner] Lynn [Curry], 'You know ... she's different.' She's been nothing but a professional from day one and she's all about doing her job."

Collecting her second win from three starts, Instagram Model has now banked $178,625 for Curry. The daughter of Chapter Seven returned $10.40 to win.