Meadowlands: Resolve rolls in Cashman Memorial

After a rough trip in last Friday's Spirit of Massachusetts Trot, Resolve had things his own way and rolled to a facile victory in the $303,050 John Cashman Memorial for open trotters Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands. Resolve completed the mile and an eighth journey in 2:04 2/5.

Driven by trainer Ake Svanstedt, Resolve shot to the lead from post two and took the bulky field of 12 to the opening quarter in 26 3/5. Crazy Wow (Yannick Gingras) cleared briefly beyond that marker, but Svanstedt was right back from the pocket to regain the lead at the 55 1/5 half.

Resolve would continue to keep the hammer down, reaching three-quarters in 1:22 3/5 while a first-over Marion Marauder (Scott Zeron) dropped into the pocket in front of a retreating Crazy Wow. That braven-up tuck did not matter, though, as Resolve scooted away from Marion Marauder before the 1:50 1/5 mile and went on to win by about four lengths. Marion Marauder was a solid second in his first try against aged company, and Lookslikeachpndale (Dan Dube) was up for third from post ten.

"Marion Marauder was the horse to beat before the race, but Resolve was good," said Svanstedt.

When asked by Bob Heyden if Resolve was as good as Sebastian K, Svanstedt responded, "Not yet. 1:49 is hard to beat."

Hans Enggren owns Resolve, a 6-year-old Muscle Hill stallion. This was Resolve's 17th career victory, and he has now earned $2,544,429. Sent off as the 5-2 second choice, Resolve paid $7.00 to win.