Meadowlands: Manchego, Phaetosive impress in Hambletonian Oaks eliminations

Manchego rebounded from the only two defeats of her brilliant career with a powerful performance in the first of two $50,000 eliminations of the Hambletonian Oaks at the Meadowlands on Saturday night. The Muscle Hill-sired filly scored effortlessly in 1:51 1/5.

Courtney Hanover blasted to the front in a 26 4/5 opening quarter, with Manchego and driver Yannick Gingras settling in third. Past the quarter Gingras moved the 1-9 favorite to the front, and from that point she set sensible middle-half fractions of 55 2/5 and 1:24 1/5, with only Hey Blondie moving coverless into the final turn but posing no legitimate threat.

Manchego drew off in a 27 second flat final quarter, with 36-1 shot Lily Stride rallying late for the place spot. Hey Blondie held for third, followed by What A Knockout and Seviyorum.

Black Horse Racing, John Fielding and Herb Liverman own Manchego, now a winner in 16 of 18 lifetime starts for trainer Jimmy Takter.

"I'm happy where we are right now," said Takter.

Phaetosive and driver-trainer Trond Smedshammer blew away world champion Plunge Blue Chip in capturing the second and faster Oaks elimination in 1:51.

A mad dash for the lead ensued at the outset, with Perfect Summer K and Live Laugh Love first and second to control. Plunge Blue Chip was briefly three-wide and then needed nearly three-eighths to clear after a 28 second opening quarter. Phaetosive left a bit and settled in fourth before the quarter.

Ake Svanstedt had Plunge Blue Chip under control through a half in 56 1/5 and three-quarters in 1:24 2/5, but once Smedshammer and Phaetosive got to their throat the race was essentially over as the daughter of Explosive Matter did put it into high gear and drew clear with a 26 3/5 final quarter and an open-length victory. Live Laugh Love rallied late for second with Plunge Blue Chip third. Blonde Magic and Nixie Volo will also advance to the final.

"She's been good her whole life," said Smedshammer. "She keeps impressing me."

Purple Haze Stables own Phaetosive, now a winner in 7 of 11 lifetime starts. Pheatosive was the 4-5 betting choice.

In other action, Met's Hall scored in 1:53 in the first Reynolds division for sophomore trotting colts and geldings. The son of Cantab Hall rallied back after being passed at the three-quarters by 49-1 outsider Hockey Hanover. Fashionwoodchopper finished second, with Hockey Hanover third. Andy Miller drove and Julie Miller trains Met's Hall.

Crystal Fashion tuned up nicely for the Hambletonian with a solid off-the-pace score in the second $46,600 Reynolds division. Tim Tetrick guided the Jim Campbell-trained winner of the Beal Memorial to a 1:52 4/5 effort, scoring decisively over pace-setter Hat Trick Habit. For A Dreamer finished third.