Meadowlands: Trotters battle in second leg of Graduate Series

The mare Hypnotic AM worked out a pocket trip for driver Brian Sears and then trotted powerfully to a career-best 1:50 3/5 mile over favored Beads in the first of two $50,000 divisions in the second round of the Graduate Series for 4-year-olds Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Amigo Volo and Hypnotic AM both left alertly, with the former taking quick control into the first turn. First round winner Beads, the 4-5 favorite with David Miller, floated up on the outside approaching the quarter, but Sears quickly moved Hypnotic AM to the front at the 28 second opening quarter before releasing Beads for the pocket journey.

Beads cut the half in 55 2/5 and was still on idle going to three-quarters when Get Legs and Andy Miller pulled from fourth to advance. Sears angled Hypnotic AM alertly off the pylons prior to the 1:23 4/5 three-quarters, and the daughter of Chapter Seven quickly engaged and overpowered the leader. Beads was driven by Miller to stay close but couldn’t regain the lead and had to settle for second behind Hypnotic AM. Early leader Amigo Volo held off Get Legs for the show spot.

Hypnotic AM was a winner for the 13th time in her career for trainer Marcus Melander and owner Courant Inc. The lone mare in the field of seven returned $5.80 to win.

"With a trip like that she always shows up," said Sears following the victory.

For first round winner It's Academic a change of driver proved to be of no concern, as Tim Tetrick hopped behind the son of Uncle Peter and promptly scored a 1:51 season's-best clocking in the second division.

Emma Town Bud surged to the front midway on the first turn for Andrew McCarthy, with Tetrick patiently waiting to move to the front at the 27 4/5 opening quarter. With no movement in the second quarter, the Ron Burke-trained It's Academic was able to get a pedestrian 56 second opening-half, putting well-supported Ready For Moni in a compromised position.

Driver Dexter Dunn took up the chase with Ready For Moni and quickly made his way towards the flank of It's Academic by three-quarters in a rated 1:24 1/5. The two dueled just briefly, but Tetrick called on It's Academic and got the necessary response to win decisively in 1:51 flat. Ready For Moni settled for second, with Sermon charging home strongly for third.

Owned by Bradley Grant, It's Academic was a winner for the fifth time in 10 starts this year and returned $4.40 to win.