Meadowlands: Mission Brief leads elimination winners

Three eliminations for the 2-year-old trotters took place at the Meadowlands on Friday night. The star of the evening was clearly the freaky-fast filly Mission Brief, who set a track record in her Merrie Annabelle victory.

Mission Brief was acting up a bit behind the gate but driver Yannick Gingras was able to keep her composed and secure the front at the opening quarter in 28 1/5. The duo posted fractions of 56 4/5, 1:25 4/5 and closed out the mile in 1:53 2/5 while uncontested.

“She was much more relaxed tonight,” said Gingras about the Ron Burke trainee. “She’s figuring things out and I’m figuring her out.”

Jolene Jolene was a good second and joins Onda Di Marie, Livininthefastlane and Sarcy in the final next Saturday.

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The standout filly in the second Merrie Annabelle split was Lock Down Lindy. The Tony Alagna-trained daughter of Lucky Chucky-Love Lockdown waited for cover, swung wide past three quarters and charged home a very impressive winner in 1:55.

“I was pretty impressed with her and have been high on her for a long time,” said driver Scott Zeron, who admitted he has yet to pull the filly’s ear plugs during her races.

The formerly undefeated Gatka Hanover raced greenly in the stretch and finished second. Love Me Madly, Lilu Hanover and Wordie Hanover also advanced to the $352,050 final.

Seven of the 10 rookie trotting colts signed on for the Peter Haughton would advance to the final and the end result saw a bunch from two stables lock up spots in the $355,500 race on August 2.

Centurion Atm was patient early in the mile but pulled in the second half and opened up a sizable lead when The Bank went off stride while setting the pace. The Ake Svanstedt trained/driven son of SJs Caviar finished 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Uncle Lasse in a 1:54 2/5 mile.

“He did everything right from the beginning,” said Svanstedt, who also saw his Amicus (seventh) advance to the final.

Uncle Lasse will be joined in the final by Jimmy Takter-trained stablemate Special Action (sixth).

Others joining Canepa Hanover, Guess Whos Back and Honor And Serve, who all took byes into the rich finale, were Gifted Way (fourth), Cruzado Dela Noche (third) and SS Poseidon (fifth).

The Peter Haughton and Merrie Annabelle finals are part of the stakes-packed Hambletonian Day card at the Meadowlands.