Meadowlands: Walner Payton, Heart On Fire triumph in Hambletonian Oaks elims

Walner Payton, with a hood on and shoes off, showed the form she exhibited throughout her freshman campaign in capturing the first of two $40,000 Hambletonian Oaks eliminations at the Meadowlands on Saturday night. The Walner-sired lass held 6-5 favorite Railee Something at bay through the final quarter in a sparkling 1:51 4/5; a career-best.

Mambacita, Railee Something and Walner Payton left the gate quickly, with Mambacita taking over quickly for driver Scott Zeron. Yannick Gingras had Railee Something cleared to the top before the 27 4/5 opening quarter but yielded willingly to Walner Payton and Dexter Dunn past the opening fraction.

Once in control Walner Payton rated fractions of 55 3/5 and 1:24 2/5. Heaven Hanover pulled before the half and was followed by Instagram Model, but the pair received additional cover when Gingras pulled before the three quarters in hopes of going by Walner Payton. Dunn and the Chris Ryder-trained lass had other things in mind and sprinted a 27 2/5 final quarter to hold off all the closers. Railee Something couldn't gain late but held determinedly for second while
Heaven Hanover, Instagram Model and Mambacita followed her as the top five to advance for the $500,000 final on August 5.

Owned by Ken Jacobs, Walner Payton was a winner for the third time in eight starts this year and returned $11.60 to win.

"CJ (Chris Ryder) put the hood on her, and she felt a lot sharper out there," said Dunn.

As for holding off the favorite Dunn said, "She's a pretty quick filly."

A $510,000 yearling purchase, Walner Payton’s career earnings went over $800K with the victory.

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The second Hambletonian Oaks elimination turned into a shocker when 36-1 Heart On Fire and Todd McCarthy skimmed the pylons late to pull off the upset following a wickedly hot pace cut out by 1-2 favorite Bond and Ake Svanstedt. Heart On Fire had gone winless in six starts this year prior to Saturday's victory.

Bond and Svanstedt had the rail, but that didn't stop others from leaving the gate strongly. Quick Stop and Tim Tetrick took an early tuck, as did Heart On Fire. Secret Volo with Brian Sears also left alertly but couldn't match strides with Bond and settled in along the pylons on the first turn. Eventually, Righteous Resolve and James MacDonald were able to find the pocket behind Bond, but the cost was a 25 4/5 opening fraction.

Svanstedt had his hands full with Bond, as the Southwind Frank-sired lass hit the half in 53 4/5 and three-quarters in 1:22 4/5 with no serious challengers.

Once in the homestretch Righteous Resolve was able to wear Bond down, but she was quickly challenged on her flank by Secret Volo. McCarthy had a clear path along the pylons and guided Heart On Fire, a Tony Alagna-trained filly by Father Patrick perfectly along the pylons, and she was up in time in a career-best 1:51 2/5 clocking. Secret Volo settled for second with Righteous Resolve and Kayleigh S third and fourth. Bond barely held on to fifth and will advance.

Owned by Eric Good, Heart On Fire had an outstanding freshman season, finishing first or second seven times in 11 starts, but had only hit the board twice this year in six starts without a victory.

"She never had to leave the pylons," said McCarthy in the winner's circle. "I wasn't sure because she had to be used pretty good that first quarter too."

Heart On Fire returned $74.20 to win.