Meadowlands: Shake It Cerry uses power move to win TVG Mare Trot

After a season with some ups and downs, Shake It Cerry showed why she was named Trotter of the Year in 2014 by capturing the $200,000 TVG Mare Trot at the Meadowlands on Friday night.

Despite some tough times during the summer when the 4-year-old took on the boys, Shake It Cerry got on a roll in the fall and that run extended to Friday when she scored her second straight race, both with the addition of Lasix.

With the big money on the line, Bee A Magician gunned off the wings of the gate to the front to post an opening quarter of 27 2/5, but Shake It Cerry and driver David Miller were soon on the move and charged past resolutely. She posted the half in 55 4/5 and was able to back down the third quarter to just 29 1/5 leaving her plenty of trot for the stretch.

The uncovered Handover Belle tried her best to catch Shake It Cerry in the 27 3/5 final quarter sprint but had to settle for third behind the winner and Bee A Magician.

“She was chasing the boys earlier this year and trotted (1):49 4/5. She is just a little girl and chasing the boys might have been hard on her,” said trainer Jimmy Takter, who went on to compare the mare to the great Moni Maker. “She is definitely in that caliber like Moni Maker. Beating horses like Bee A Magician, those are like super fillies. She is just a 4-year-old and on the right path.”

Shake It Cerry, who is owned by Solveig’s Racing Partners, won for the fifth time in 16 starts this year. She has now earned $2,482,335 in her career.

Venus Delight captured the $200,000 pacing division of the TVG with a perfect pocket trip in a career best-equaling 1:49 4/5.

Sandbetweenurtoes took command at the quarter in 27 seconds and placed Venus Delight in the pocket. Those two marched past the half in 55 3/5 when Color’s A Virgin came to call with a stiff challenge on the outside. They battled on the front past three quarters in 1:22 4/5 as the inside opened up for Venus Delight and she took advantage.

“She doesn’t like to be on the front and I was happy to follow Brett (Miller, Sandbetweenurtoes),” said winning driver Tim Tetrick.

Gallie Bythebeach rallied stoutly for second and Color’s A Virgin held for third.

Venus Delight is owned by Bamond Racing and trained by Jeffrey Bamond, Jr.