Meadowlands: Sebastian K rolls to Cashman victory

Sebastian K came to the United States with a strong reputation and with each passing race his legend keeps growing. The Swedish stallion romped to a record-equaling victory in the $300,650 John Cashman Jr. Memorial on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

Archangel was fast off the gate and secured the lead well before the 26 2/5 opening quarter. Sebastian K chased along from the pocket in second with Market Share just behind in third.

The race was basically reserved for those three with a non-existant outer flow. Shortly after the half came on the board in 54 4/5, driver/trainer Ake Svanstedt angled Sebastian K out of the pocket to take his shot at the lead. The duo hooked up with Archangel around the final turn and began to gain an advantage passing three quarters in 1:22 4/5.

The battle on the final turn gave way for a one-horse show in the stretch as Sebastian K powered away to a 4 1/4-length win in 1:50, tying the Meadowlands track record (and world record for a mile track) set by Archangel one week earlier.

Market Share closed up the cones for second over Archangel.

“He leaves very fast and so I take it a little easy,” said Svanstedt about Archangel.

After a tough schedule of racing recently, Svanstedt said his horse would get a much needed rest. “He has raced every weekend for four week so he gets a little break.”

Sebastian K returned $2.60 to win and increased his lifetime earnings to $2,793,252 for owners Knutsson Trotting Inc.

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