Meadowlands: Loubet launches in the stretch to win his Kindergarten final

Loubet, a lightly-raced son of Sweet Lou, overcame some difficulty on the final turn but exploded in the stretch to capture the $233,970 Kindergarten Series final for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings at the Meadowlands on Saturday night. David Miller guided the Ron Burke-trained colt to a 1:49 3/5 mile, the fastest of his four-race career.

Blue Hunt blasted from the outside to take the early lead for driver Tim Tetrick, sprinting his first quarter in 26 4/5 before favored Save America and driver Yannick Gingras blasted to the top and rated the 55 second opening half.

Goldin Greatness and Dexter Dunn came first-over, and that potentially would have towed in second choice Loubet, but the third quarter was adventurous for Miller and Loubet.

"He was locked on the left line," Miller said. "That's how Todd (McCarthy with Hungry Man) was able to slip out."

Save America was able to rate the third quarter nicely for Gingras, hitting that marker in 1:23 1/5.

The race started tightening up in mid-stretch as Goldin Greatness amped up the pressure, and Loubet and Miller got into a high gear that was rather explosive. Loubet overpowered the field and paced a 25 3/5 final quarter in doing so. Blue Hunt and Tetrick found clearance as Save America bore out and just got up for the place, with Goldin Greatness holding third and Ants Marching flying late for fourth. Hungry Man settled for fifth.

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Owned by bred by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, Michelle Yanek and Phil Collura, Loubet returned $6 as the second choice.

"A lot of times horses get pushed wide like that," said Miller. "I just pulled the plugs on him, and he was all business."