Meadowlands: Tetrick with a mix of favorites and longshots on huge stakes card

There will be a lot riding on Saturday night’s Fall Final Four and TVG spectacular at The Meadowlands. Driver Tim Tetrick enters the night as the leading money-winning driver in North America. That standing should grow even further considering the quality and quantity of his mounts.

Tetrick, who drives and co-owns Horse of the Year favorite Shartin, hopes to close out the night on a winning note when the incredible pacing mare faces eight rivals in the $175,000 TVG Mares final, race 11 on the program.

“She was exceptional at Dover last week,” said Tetrick of Shartin , a 15-time winner this year that captured the Invitational in 1:49 4/5 defeating five of the mares she’ll be in against on Saturday.

Tetrick is aware that Saturday’s TVG Final field also includes the top 3-year-old pacing filly Warrawee Ubeaut, but he didn’t seem to be as concerned about the challenge as he was the current condition of the Jim King Jr.-trained Shartin. “She’s feeling her old self again,” said Tetrick.

As far as Warrawee Ubeaut, the driver was complimentary of her credentials but not necessarily worried about the threat to Shartin. “She’s a one-way pony,” Tetrick said of Warrawee Ubeaut. “She hasn’t faced mares like this. It’s a tall order.”

Shartin drew the rail while Breeders Crown winner Caviart Ally landed post seven with Warrawee Ubeaut in the middle of the two from post four.

Tetrick had high praise for Lyons Sentinel (post 6), the obvious favorite in the $411,000 Three Diamonds final carded as race nine. The Three Diamonds for 2-year-old pacing fillies will give Lyons Sentinel a chance for her 10th victory of the year. The daughter of Captaintreacherous bounced back from a neck loss in the Breeders Crown with an imposing 1:50 3/5 effort in the Matron at Dover on November 7.

“She was sharp at Dover and she’s been great all year,” said Tetrick. As for the Breeders Crown loss, the driver summed it up this way, “Someone parked us to a 53 3/5 half.”

Lyons Sentinel has met and defeated most of the fillies that will contend in the Three Diamonds. Elimination winner JK First Lady (Yannick Gingras) will start from post five inside of her.

Tetrick got the call in the first stakes race of the Meadowlands program on Saturday behind former Horse of the Year and now retiring Hannelore Hanover in the $175,000 TVG Mares Trot. “It’s pretty cool,” Tetrick said of the chance to drive Hannelore Hanover for the first time in her 87th and final appearance on the racetrack. “She’s a world champion. She’ll give it her all.”

The $401,850 Governor’s Cup likely finds Papi Rob Hanover as a prohibitive betting favorite from post four but Tetrick is optimistic he can get a good share of the purse with Lake Charles, one of two juvenile pacing colts in the field from Ray Schnittker’s stable. Lake Charles landed the pole position in the Governor’s Cup that goes as race four.

“I drove him in the Liberty Bell when he won in 1:51 4/5,” said Tetrick. “He’s a good horse and drew a good spot. Hopefully we can finish second.”

Tetrick has the assignment behind Book Seven (post 1) in the $505,050 Valley Victory, but this will be the first time he sits behind the Chapter Seven colt now in the stable of Nick Surick. Trainer Nifty Norman has the inside track here with Breeders Crown winner Amigo Volo (post 2) and Chestnut Hill (post 8) among the favorites.

Tetrick has sat behind Hall Of AM S, a Muscle Hill-sired filly that drew post three in the $475,100 Goldsmith Maid final (race 6). “She’s got some talent,” Tetrick said. “I thought she could have won before she broke in the Kindergarten final.”

The driver conceded that the competition is a bit tougher on Saturday, with 8-time winner Sister Sledge (post 1) and Kindergarten final winner Senorita Rita (post 2) directly inside. “I think she’ll be a better 3-year-old,” Tetrick said of Hall Of AM S.

Tetrick believes that Endeavor (post 2) in the $350,000 TVG Open pacing event will have a tougher time than he did when he won the Potomac at Rosecroft on November 10. “Moving to the big track it’s going to be tougher for him,” said Tetrick, who believed that Breeders Crown winner American History was not at his best that night when Endeavor upset at 11-1. Also included in Saturday’s Open final will be defending Horse of the Year McWicked (post 4) and the leading money-winning horse in North America in 2019, Bettor’s Wish (post 7).

Tetrick was optimistic that Guardian Angel As would be ready for a big effort in the $350,000 TVG Open for trotters, race 10 on the card. Tetrick believes a key to Guardian Angel As is getting his nose on the gate. Guardian Angel As drew post six in a field that includes Six Pack (post 1) and Breeders Crown-winning sophomore Gimpanzee (post 2) as well as the streaking Manchego (post 5).

A special 7:00 PM post time is set for the Saturday card, which offers a $40,000 guaranteed Pick 5 in race 3 and a $75,000 guaranteed Pick 4 pool in race 8.