Meadowlands: Venerate returns with qualifying victory

Venerate, last year's Dan Patch Award and Mohawk Million winner, returned to action with a 1:54 1/5 victory in his qualifier on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

Driven by Andy Miller, the 3-year-old colt by Love You raced in the pocket behind Robert's Hanover (Dexter Dunn) through fractions of 28 3/5, 57 2/5, and 1:26 2/5, took over the lead after angling out in the stretch, and kicked away to win by three lengths.

Trained by Julie Miller, Venerate compiled a record of 5-0-3 from ten starts last year and banked $772,914. He's owned by Pinske Stables and Andy Miller Stable Inc.

Darlene Hanover (Andrew McCarthy), a 3-year-old daughter of Chapter Seven who was victorious in the Jim Doherty Memorial final in 2020, was a winner in her third qualifying appearance of her sophomore campaign, tallying from first-over in 1:56 3/5 for trainer Brett Bittle and owner Yankeeland Partners LLP.

Cattlewash (David Miller), a 4-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere, backed up his 1:50 3/5 tally in a qualifier last Saturday by prevailing in 1:49 2/5 this week. He tracked Stars Align A (Brian Sears) from the pocket through stations of 27, 54 1/5, and 1:22 1/5, then out-kicked the pace-setter on the inside in the stretch to score by a head for trainer Ron Burke and owner/breeder W.J. Donovan.

Burke also sent out the winners in the two remaining qualifiers, teaming up with Yannick Gingras for a 1:56 1/5 victory with 3-year-old Betting Line filly Southwind Xena and for a 1:56 2/5 triumph with Warrior One, a 5-year-old gelding by Father Patrick.