Meadowlands: Trotters tussle in Tompkins-Geers

Jailbird Jog prepared for next week's Hambletonian Oaks eliminations in fine style Saturday night at the Meadowlands, taking the $68,650 Tompkins-Geers Stake for 3-year-old trotting fillies in a lifetime-best 1:51 2/5.

"(The trip) was just kind of what the doctor ordered," said winning driver James MacDonald. "You want them brave and strong going into the Hambletonian Oaks, and she's definitely peaking again. She was sensational in her last start (when she won a division of the Del Miller) and again today. I'm just so excited to get behind her."

MacDonald was in no particular hurry with the daughter of Tactical Landing-Miss Don Fanucci S, sitting sixth past the quarter (where Sugar Packet had the point in 28 seconds) and half (She's Moni in 55 2/5). Approaching the far turn, Jailbird Jog picked up a live tow from the first-over Frattina Diablo S as She's Moni raced clear of the field by 3 1/2 lengths at three-quarters in 1:22 4/5 as Jailbird Jog advanced into fourth.

At the head of the stretch, Jailbird Jog was eased off her cover, and showed her familiar late kick, using a workman-like effort to get past Frattina Diablo S with a little less than a sixteenth to go before reporting home a half-length winner. Emmas Mystery CCL was third.

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"I gotta be honest, today, it was kind of a hectic day (traveling to The Meadows - where MacDonald and Odds On Mr Mamba were third in the Adios - and then to the Meadowlands) running around," said MacDonald. "I was just happy to get here on time and get behind the big girl, and then be able to work out a nice trip for her. Hopefully, we can build off today and there are bigger things to come."

MacDonald, the five-time defending O'Brien Award winner as Canada's top pilot, was reminded that he's going for a second straight Oaks after scoring last year with Conversano.

"That would be amazing," said MacDonald. "Fingers crossed."

As the 3-5 favorite, Jailbird Jog returned $3.20 to her backers. She’s now won eight of 19 lifetime outings, good for earnings of $423,807.

IN TOP 'GEER': Nicholson, a Walner-Love N Lindy colt, went wire-to-wire in the first of two $33,725 Tompkins-Geers divisions for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters with Hambletonian aspirations.

Driven by Dexter Dunn and trained by Marcus Melander, Nicholson recorded his second career victory in a lifetime-best 1:52 2/5 and paid $7.20 as the 5-2 third choice in the wagering.

Minoan grabbed an early lead in the second division, rated the middle half in 57 1/5 and had just enough to hold off a late-charging Push To Start by a nose in a lifetime-best 1:52 2/5 for driver Niko Karna and trainer Noel Daley.

The gelded son of Bar Hopping-Regal Woman recorded his sixth lifetime win in 18 attempts and paid $6.40 as the 2-1 second choice.

Both Nicholson and Minoan are Hambletonian eligible.

A LITTLE MORE: Brad Chisholm led the driver colony with three winners on the night. All-source handle on the 15-race program totaled $2,378,656. Post time will change effective Friday, July 31, when racing resumes at 6:20 p.m. (EDT).

--press release (Meadowlands)--