Meadowlands: Periculum charges off cover in John Cashman Memorial

Periculum, driven flawlessly by Scott Zeron, rallied off cover in the homestretch and drew clear from the field, capturing the Grade 2 $300,000 John Cashman Memorial for open trotters at the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon in a career-best and stakes record 1:49 4/5 mile. The 6-year-old by Muscle Hill is trained by Marcus Melander.

There was an early battle for the lead with Up Your Deo and Chapercraz trying to out-sprint the rail-starting Sir Pinocchio. Both had to find holes as Jason Bartlett guided Sir Pinocchio to the quarter in 26 2/5. Meanwhile, Lexus Kody with Yannick Gingras marched up and took control three-eighths in and kept the pace hot, hitting the half in 54 seconds flat.

Private Access and Louis Roy moved early on the backstretch and towed the 2-5 favorite Periculum perfectly into the contest. Lexus Kody still held control of the field through three quarters in 1:22 1/5 but stuggled to keep Private Access at bay. Zeron pushed the button behind Periculum in mid-stretch and got the instant results he was looking for, with a powerful brush that overwhelmed the field. Security Protected, with Andrew McCarthy, angled off the rail and made up ground rapidly to nail the place spot, assuring a one-two finish for the Melander stable in the process. Chapercraz found room to the inside for third with Private Access fourth following a tough, overland journey.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Owned by Brixton Medical Inc. and Holly Lane Stud East LTD., Periculum was a winner for the third time in four starts this year, with all the wins coming at the Meadowlands in stakes events. As the 2-5 favorite Periculum paid $2.80.

"I was in no position to make a power move," said Zeron following the victory. "I was happy to get the cover, and he did the rest."