Meadowlands: Two-year-olds battle in New Jersey Sire Stakes opener

Nevis Peak and Top Reacher were two good-looking winners at the Meadowlands Friday night when the mile oval carded one dozen first leg New Jersey Sire Stakes events for 2-year-olds of each sex and gait on the program.

Platinum division races went for a purse of $25,000, while Silver splits were contested for $10,000.

Nevis Peak, despite going off as the even-money favorite, wasn't on the gate at the start and was actually last in the field of seven out of the first turn in a Platinum division dash for filly trotters, but the daughter of Walner-Ramona Hill had little trouble overcoming that handicap.

Driver Yannick Gingras managed to get into a live flow after the half as Special Orchid towed her into contention heading to the far turn. At the head of the stretch, Gingras swung the Ron Burke trainee into the three-path for the stretch drive, and she responded with explosive trot.

Nevis Peak was in full flight when she took over at the eighth pole and went on to a 2 3/4 length victory in 1:54 3/5. Caught Speeding rallied well for second, with Sweetest Of All third. Nevis Peak returned $4.20 to win.

"She baby raced (from off-the-pace) and delivered tonight," said Gingras of the $250,000 Lexington sale acquisition. "(Her connections) loved her all along. She did it well in-hand tonight for sure. Her gait is really good. She’s a natural."

Dexter Dunn worked out a second-over trip with 6-5 favorite Top Reacher in a Platinum split for colt and gelding trotters before roaring past leader Pul Biber inside the sixteenth pole in a 1:56 2/5 effort. The Muscle Hill-Top Expectations colt is trained by Marcus Melander. He returned $4.40 to his backers after defeating Pul Biber by a length. Pearl Of Hanover was third.

"We were sort of moving along pretty good; he's a really nice colt," said Dunn. "With his manners and his attitude, I think he can have a really good season."

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The other 10 NJSS contests on the program were taken by the following horses:

Race 3 - Silver division, colt and gelding trot: Celebrini (Tactical Landing-Wheely Quick), Tim Tetrick was the driver, trained by Nancy Takter, winning time 1:57 3/5, paid $5.20 as the 8-5 second choice.

Race 5 - Silver division, filly trot: Mrs Rattigan (Walner-Flyer Mel), Andy Miller, Julie Miller, 1:57 3/5, $11.40 as the 9-2 second choice.

Race 7 - Platinum division, filly trot: Rio De Janeiro (Walner-Devilish Delight), Scott Zeron, Takter, 1:55 4/5, $7.20 as the 5-2 second choice.

Race 8 - Platinum division, filly trot: Wall Of Fame (Walner-Saadet), Andy Miller, Julie Miller, 1:54 1/5, $3.80 as the 4-5 favorite.

Race 9 - Silver division, filly trot: DEAD HEAT: Olbia (Muscle Hill-Graceful Lady), Dunn, Melander, 1:55 3/5, $2.40 as the 3-5 favorite; Irish Faith (Walner-Irish Melody Fr), Jason Bartlett, Petter Engblom, 1:55 3/5, $5 as the 7-1 fourth choice.

Race 10 - Silver division, colt and gelding trot: Jazzy Blues (Muscle Hill-Bare My Soul), Todd McCarthy, Carter Pinske, 1:56 1/5, $34.60 as the 16-1 fifth choice.

Race 11 - Silver division, filly pace: She Stings Twice (Perfect Sting-Shesgoingoinggone), Brett Beckwith, Cory Stratton, 1:54 1/5, $36.40 as the 17-1 sixth choice.

Race 12 - Platinum division, colt and gelding trot: Mats (Walner-Beautiful Sin), Gingras, Ake Svanstedt, 1:54 1/5, $4.20 as the even-money favorite.

Race 13 - Platinum division, filly pace: Sterl The Pearl (Lazarus N-Cloud Diva), Joe Bongiorno, Joe Bongiorno, 1:53 2/5, $12 as the 5-1 third choice.

Race 14 - Platinum division, colt and gelding pace: Aintmyfirstro Deo (Perfect Sting-Some Renditions), Zeron, Megan Scran, 1:54 1/5, $3.40 as the 3-5 favorite.

A LITTLE MORE: Beckwith, Zeron, Gingras, Dunn and Andy Miller tied atop the driver leaderboard with two winners apiece. Takter, Melander and Julie Miller topped the trainers with a pair of victories apiece. All-source handle on the 15-race card totaled $2,059,515. Racing resumes Saturday at 6:35 p.m. (EDT) with a stakes-filled 14-race program featuring the $810,000, 50th edition of the Meadowlands Pace presented by Genova Burns LLC.

--press release (Meadowlands)--