Meadowlands: Marion Marauder adds Hambletonian Maturity title to his haul

Marion Marauder didn't mind the added distance as Scott Zeron piloted him to victory in the $458,750 Hambletonian Maturity at a mile and one eighth on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. The 2016 Trotting Triple Crown champion wore down pace-setting Warrawee Roo shortly before the wire and scored in 2:05 2/5 for the added distance.

Celebrity Eventsy, the lone mare in the field, jetted to the front in 27 1/5 on the straight, seating Cufflink Hanover and Warrawee Roo in the process. Dan Dube took the field to the half in 56 1/5 with Warrawee Roo, and he appeared to have the pace to his liking. Scott Zeron took the slow methodical grind with Marion Marauder and was only a length or so off the leader at the 1:24 1/5 three-quarter clocking.

Warrawee Roo still seemed to have something left as the field passed the mile marker in 1:51 3/5, but the added distance was not to his liking as Zeron tapped the 4-year-old by Muscle Hill to measure off the victory. Cufflink Hanover and Corey Callahan made a stout rally late after angling wide to nail the place spot, with Warrawee Roo holding for third. Dayson used all of Marion Marauder's cover throughout the final part of the race but couldn't trot with him when it counted and finished fourth.

The victory by Marion Marauder, his third in four starts this year, pushed his career earnings over $2.1 million. That makes him the richest Triple Crown winner of all-time in the sport, trotter or pacer.

Paula Wellwood trains Marion Marauder for owners Marion Jean Wellwood and Devin Keeling.

"We want to keep him to about 12 starts this year. We're going to see how he comes out of the race and make a decision on the next race, perhaps the Spirit of Massachusetts at Plainridge and likely the Cashman," said Mike Keeling, who trains along with his wife Paula Wellwood.