Meadowlands: Stonebridge Helios shines brightest in Graduate Pace final

Driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Ake Svanstedt completed a sweep of the Graduate Series finals at the Meadowlands on Saturday night when Stonebridge Helios captured the $240,000 event for 4-year-old pacers handily in a 1:48 1/5 clocking.

A son of Sunshine Beach, Stonebridge Helios left between horses at the outset, but Dunn reserved his horse on the outside as Dreamfair Arnie B and Todd McCarthy sprinted out sharply from the pole position and Mad Max Hanover and Tim Tetrick left to his inside, taking a spot along the pylons. I Did It Myway, driven by Andrew McCarthy, was used extremely hard to clear the front at the 26 second opening quarter, and then Dunn pushed his charge to slowly to take control before the 53 4/5 opening half.

Tetrick had Mad Max Hanover on the move without cover, followed by Captain Cowboy and Rocks Shining Star, with the latter parked from the outset for David Miller. Dunn didn't allow the outer tier to get close as Mad Max Hanover stalled on the turn while Stonebridge Helios hit three-quarters in 1:21 2/5 and opened ground on the field.

Dreamfair Arnie B came out of the pocket in the stretch but was not gaining on the winner at any point during the race to the wire. Trendy Teen and driver Jason Bartlett were moving strongly nearing the finish wire but were shut off between Dreamfair Arnie B and the race winner and lost the photo for the place for lack of racing room. I Did It Myway came along the pylons to finish fourth.

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Stonebridge Helios sprinted a 26 4/5 final quarter and was a winner for the second time in four starts this year for owner John Fleischman and Angie Stiller. Sent off as the 7-10 favorite, Stonebridge Helios returned $3.40 to win.

"He felt pretty strong and was traveling well to the finish," said Dunn of Stonebridge Helios.