Meadowlands: NJ Sire Stakes triple for Todd McCarthy

The method may not be one that her nervous backers appreciate, but Reckless Abandon recorded her second straight victory with ease, despite racing in last for much of the mile Friday night at the Meadowlands when six $25,000 leg three New Jersey Sire Stakes dashes for 2-year-olds of each sex and gait were conducted during the card.

In the lone filly pace, Reckless Abandon raced in sixth for a second straight week for the first half-mile as Beach Babe led at the quarter in 27 1/5 and Worklifebalance the half in 55 3/5. At the five-eighths, TH Summer Lovin popped out of the five-hole and swiftly went after the leaders while providing a live tow for 1-9 favorite Reckless Abandon, who tipped off her cover inside the eighth pole and sprinted away to an easy 2 1/4 length victory in a lifetime-best 1:52. TH Summer Lovin held second with Worklifebalance third.

"She's a pretty talented filly," said winning driver Todd McCarthy. "[Trainer] Brett [Pelling] has done a great job with her. She got a good second-over trip."

"I'm super happy she's had cover from outside posts; it helps with the anxiety of racing a 2-year-old filly four weeks in-a-row," said Pelling. "The ear plugs were not pulled and she was in-hand. I would be confident if Todd decides to get involved early in the [Aug. 2 NJSS] final. She will be fine."

A daughter of Cattlewash-Reclamation, Reckless Abandon returned $2.10 to her faithful as the 1-9 favorite.

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THE FAB FIVE: The other five victorious NJSS horses were:

-Colt and Gelding Trot (Div. 1) – Onajetplane (a Walner-Noble Lover colt), driver Andy McCarthy, trainer Noel Daley, winning time 1:55 1/5, paid $101.40 to win as the 49-1 sixth choice in the wagering

-Filly Trot (Div. 1) – Champagne Problems (Tactical Landing-Miss Caviar), Dexter Dunn, Nancy Takter, 1:55 1/5, $8.60 as the 3-1 third choice

-Colt and Gelding Pace (lone division) – Manolete (a Cattlewash-Glancewithme colt), Todd McCarthy, Bruce Saunders, lifetime-best 1:51 4/5, $2.80 as the 2-5 favorite

-Colt and Gelding Trot (Div. 2) – Yannick G Kemp (a Walner-Southwind Adele colt), Dave Miller, Nifty Norman, 1:55 2/5, $13.40 as the 5-1 third choice

-Filly Trot (Div. 2) – Conversano (Muscle Hill-Celebrity Ruth), Todd McCarthy, Juan Cano, 1:55, $24.40 as the 11-1 fourth choice

A LITTLE MORE: 49-1 longshot Onajetplane created some big payoffs by taking the third race. The 20-cent Survivor Pick 7, which is offered on races two through eight, returned $4,260.18 for those with six winners on their tickets, while the 20-cent Pick-5, available on the first through the fifth, came back $1,646.76. Todd McCarthy and Dunn tied atop the driver-colony leaderboard as each took three jaunts down victory lane. James Slendorn and Eric Davis had driving doubles. Both of Slendorn's wins came with Kelvin Harrison trainees, making Harrison the top conditioner of the night. All-source handle totaled $2,545,895 on the 14-race card. Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m. Sitting atop the marquee on the program are three eliminations for the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks and two for the $1 million Hambletonian.

--press release (Meadowlands)--