Meadowlands: Reflect With Me rallies, upsets in Mistletoe Shalee

Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Filly Pace champion Reflect With Me was given a perfect steer by driver Andrew McCarthy on her way to an 8-1 upset in Saturday's $194,400 Mistletoe Shalee for sophomore pacing fillies at the Meadowlands. It was nearly a repeat of last year's Breeders Crown upset victory by the daughter of Captaintreacherous as she once again surged past Lyons Sentinel near the wire in dramatic fashion.

McCarthy was fortunate early to position Reflect With Me behind Lyons Sentinel, who had left from post nine and eased up on the outside in the first quarter well off the front-end action. Priceless had the early lead for Brandon Bates, with Rocknificent assuming the top at the 26 3/5 opening quarter.

Race favorite JK First Lady and Yannick Gingras made a quarter-move and had easy control well in advance of the 55 2/5 opening half. Lyons Sentinel and Tetrick made a solid march up to the lead down the backstretch and towed Reflect With Me into a live second-over position. The pressure on the pace-setter picked up in earnest as the field past three-quarters in 1:23 flat.

Lyons Sentinel showed incredible courage, putting away JK First Lady by mid-stretch as Tetrick attempted to keep his advantage. Locked in was Rocknificent and Scott Zeron tried to find room but wasn't able to get much traction until late. Meanwhile, McCarthy was more fortunate as he waited until the late stages to ask for the most from his filly, and she responded with a solid burst to drive to the front near the wire and post a 1:49 career-best clocking. Lyons Sentinel was brilliant in finishing second, with Rocknificent settling for third. Early leader Priceless finished fourth in the field.

Brittany Farms bred and co-owns Reflect With Me along with Bradley Grant. The upset payoff was $19.20, with Reflect With Me winning from the same post eight she enjoyed in her Breeders Crown upset last fall. Reflect With Me has now won both of her starts as a sophomore.