Meadowlands: Resolve repeats in Cutler, secures Elitlopp invitation

Resolve and trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt made it two straight Arthur J. Cutler Memorial victories with a superb performance in this year's $200,000 edition Saturday night at The Meadowlands. Resolve, making his 6-year-old debut, covered the mile and one eighth distance in 2:06 3/5.

With the added distance there was a longer race to the first turn, and that allowed Crazy Wow, the second choice in the field, to clear the front on the turn. With Yannick Gingras in the bike, Crazy Wow cut fractions of 26 2/5, 55 1/5, and 1:24 with little pressure. Even when the 4-5 favorite Resolve moved without cover, he had a hard time getting near the leader.

That changed dramatically in the stretch as Resolve started to bear down on Crazy Wow past the mile marker in 1:52 1/5. Both Gingras and Ake Svanstedt asked their horses for top speed in the late stages, and Resolve was clearly the strong horse, wearing down Crazy Wow in the late stages. Crazy Wow finished second with J L Cruze an early leader in the race holding for third. Rubber Duck and Musical Rhythm rounded out the check-getters.

"He was a little bit lazy. I hope he'll be a little sharper next time," said Svanstedt after the race.

Resolve pushed his career earnings to $2,229,454 with his 15th career victory. He returned $3.60 as the public choice. Owned by Hans Enggren, Resolve once again earned an invitation to the prestigious Elitlopp scheduled for May 28.