Meadowlands: Stakes stars stand out in Friday's qualifiers
Friday's qualifying races at the Meadowlands featured more stakes types getting their final preps in on a coolish morning over a fast track with a slight helping wind in the stretch.
Jiggy Jog S made the first appearance of her 4-year-old season for Ake Svanstedt, and she showed up ready for business. Following a good older horse in Lexus Kody through a 1:26 three-quarters, Ake tipped from the pocket as they straightened up, and she rolled by that one for a 1:52 4/5 decision while under no urging. Jorgen Sparredal Inc. owns the multiple stakes-winning daughter of Walner. Raised By Lindy (Yannick Gingras) was a willing second, closing up from fourth while trotting home in 26 2/5 in her first qualifier.
Abuckabett Hanover scored in 1:50 2/5, home in 25 4/5 in his second go-round. Sent for the lead and through the requisite slow fractions by driver Andy McCarthy, Abuckabett Hanover picked it up when Tattoo Artist came charging with a 25 1/5 burst for Dexter Dunn, holding sway while mildly asked late. Andrew Harris trains and owns the now 5-year-old with William Pollock and Bruce Areman.
Confederate was very impressive in the opener for Tim Tetrick, sitting well back off a slow half of 58 seconds, grinding up to engage leader Hungry To Succeed (Dunn) through a 28 3/5 third panel, then blasting through a 25 2/5 end to the 1:52 3/5 mile while wrapped-up. Confederate now resides in Brett Pelling's barn for owner Diamond Creek Racing. That same combo sent out Combustion (Todd McCarthy) to be second here in a solid effort, simply overshadowed by the winner.
Just as impressive was the imposing presence of the filly Twin B Joe Fresh (Dunn), who defaulted into the lead when neither of her two rivals would, set slow numbers, then hung a 25 4/5 kicker on those two for a 1:51 4/5 win in her second prep. She is a beast. Dunn is a partner on her (invoking the "When you're hot you're hot" clause) with trainer Chris Ryder, Perry Trebotica and Barry Spak. Zanatta (Joe Bongiorno) followed the leader and held her ground admirably.
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Racin Hungry (Bongiorno) cut the 1:52 3/5 mile and sprinted home in 26 3/5, opening a large margin on her rivals while being asked in another test for 3-year-old pacing fillies.
Bond (Svanstedt) could not have looked better in her initial try of her 3-year-old season. The winner of the PASS, Kindergarten and Goldsmith Maid finals was vicious on the lead, happily trotting home in 26 flat to end the 1:54 mile while moving away from the field at will. Ake owns the winner with Jeff Gural's Little E LLC. and Lars Berg.
Totally Relentless also went a nice 1:56 1/5 mile on the front for Scott Zeron and trainer Linda Toscano.
Tillio's Action (Jordan Stratton) has come back nicely at age three for owner-trainer John Grasso. He cut the 1:53 3/5 mile today, trotting home in 27 2/5 to hold off The Gruffalo's stretch bid while Southwind Admiral was a willing third.
--press release (Meadowlands)--