Meadowlands: Manchego caps off career with TVG Open Trot title

Driver Dexter Dunn wasn't worried about racing Manchego from behind, and the 5-year-old daughter of Muscle Hill responded in kind with a powerful closing kick to capture the $320,000 TVG Open Trot final at the Meadowlands on Saturday night in the final start of her illustrious career.

Crystal Fashion and Jordan Stratton took command entering the first turn from Atlanta, with Dunn setting Machego in fourth in the field of five trotters. Crystal Fashion set opening-half fractions of 28 and 57 before Dunn moved to the outside with Manchego. The pace picked up rapidly on the far turn as Manchego inched in, flushing Atlanta from the pocket before Crystal Fashion reached three-quarters in 1:24 1/5.

The stretch drive was exhilarating as Crystal Fashion attempted to hold off Atlanta in the early sprint, with Lindy The Great moving to the inside for a clear lane. Meanwhile, Dunn kept Manchego interested, and then angled her wide of Atlanta in midstretch. The mare did the rest from there, kicking home powerfully to win, drawing away in a 1:51 3/5 clocking. Atlanta held on for second, with Lindy The Great third.

Sent off as the even-money favorite, Manchego won for the 33rd and final time in her four-year career on the racetrack. Barry Guariglia's Black Horse Farm own Manchego and Nancy Takter trained the mare as both a 4- and 5-year-old.

"It's more sweet than bitter," said Dunn following the race and the victory.

Takter recalled the bookend nature to the 56-race career of Manchego.

"She started at the Meadowlands as a 2-year-old with a win and ended her career at the Meadowlands with a win," Takter said.

Wwner Guariglia was equally elated in the winner's circle.

"I pinch myself all of the time," Guariglia said. "It's been a great ride."