Meadowlands: Southwind Avenger upsets in Valley Victory final

Southwind Avenger rallied late in the stretch to get by a stubborn Chin Chin Hall and capture the $435,900 Valley Victory for 2-year-old male trotters at the Meadowlands on Saturday night. The 2-year-old gelded son of E L Titan, sent off at 15-1 and driven by Dexter Dunn, won for just the second time in 11 starts.

Southwind Avenger left strongly to the front early before yielding to Trix And Stones in a 28 2/5 opening quarter. Seven Hills and driver Corey Callahan took a brief tuck on the backstretch, but sensing the slow pace, got on the move before the 58 2/5 first-half clocking.

Trix And Stones took on the pressure from Seven Hills briefly from the half but when the outsider challenger broke stride entering the final turn, Chin Chin Hall rapidly took up the chase and was going by the pace-setter after the three-quarters clocked in 1:27 2/5.

Driver Peter Wrenn appeared to have Chin Chin Hall safely in front for much of the homestretch, but Dunn was able to angle off the pylons and get Southwind Avenger into top gear in the closing strides to nail the victory in a career-best 1:55 3/5 clocking. Chin Chin Hall held second, with Reign Of Honor salvaging the third spot. Trainer Richard "Nifty" Norman was responsible for both the winner and third-place finisher.

Melvin Hartman, David McDuffee and Little E LLC. share ownership of Southwind Avenger.

"He was a beautiful colt," said McDuffee of the purchase last year. "Dexter did a great job. And Chin Chin Hall (a colt McDuffee also co-owns) has come a long way as well."