Meadowlands: Western Joe, International Moni take aim at Graduate finals for Zeron

He’s currently guiding the forces of the two hottest sophomore fillies – Atlanta and Kissin In The Sand – in the sport. On Saturday night, driver Scott Zeron will attempt to energize a pair of 4-year-old horses in separate $250,000 finals of the Graduate Series at The Meadowlands.

In the fifth race on the card that will include a pair of Meadowlands Pace eliminations, Zeron drew post four with International Moni, the son of Moni Maker by the French stallion Love You.

“I’m happy with the way he’s coming into the race,” said Zeron of International Moni. “I sent him wide on the final turn and he finished well in a quick mile.”

Indeed, given the pedigree one would expect continued improvement for International Moni and Zeron suggested he wouldn’t exchange the horse or the draw with any others in the 10-horse field. “I would say he’s pretty much the same horse he was last year. He likes to finish his miles,” said Zeron.

Thus far 2018 has seen International Moni blanked in the win column in four trips to the post, but that hasn’t discouraged his driver who can recall some memorable sophomore moments that saw International Moni win nine of 15 starts and more than $560K in the process.

The Graduate Trot final is a solid and well-matched collection of equine talent, with leg winners Dunbar Hall (post 2) and Moonshiner Hanover (post 3) well positioned for the big money. Joining the fray is the mare Ariana G, a horse many expected to contend in this division as well as the entire aged trotting set. Ariana G enters the final having finished off the board in her last two starts, something she only did one time in her first 27 career races. Yannick Gingras drives Ariana G from post 8 for trainer Jimmy Takter.

The $250,000 Graduate final for pacers finds Zeron behind Western Joe from post 3 in the field of 10 carded as race 10. Already a seven-time winner in 2018, Western Joe has been less dominant of late but Zeron feels he’s in position. “I watched his last race (Jimmy Marohn Jr. drove) and he finished decently into a 52-and-change final half,” said Zeron. “I thought he raced big the start before that losing in a photo to Miso Fast.”

The good news for Western Joe is the inside draw. The bad news is that the same Miso Fast landed the pole position and seems to be heading in the right direction for trainer Virgil Morgan.

If post position is to play a role in this race it figures to compromise two horses with an abundance of good form and speed. Filibuster Hanover had won his first five races of the season before tasting defeat in both the Ben Franklin elimination and final. The altered son of Somebeachsomewhere was up against older foes in both of those starts and was not disgraced. He will start from post 8 in the Graduate final returning to race exclusively against 4-year-olds for trainer Ron Burke, who sends out three in this field.

Another son of Somebeachsomewhere named Highalator appears well on his way to living up to his lofty pedigree. A winner in 7 of his 17 starts this year, Highalator is fresh off a 1:48 victory in a Preferred Handicap last Saturday at The Meadowlands. Unfortunately for his connections, Highalator will have to overcome a solid group from the outside post 10.

Beyond Saturday, Zeron is definitely looking forward to seeing the undefeated-in-2018 sophomore trotting filly Atlanta back in action soon. “Dad (Rick Zeron) is going to come down on Wednesday to train her. He’s been in Ontario while we’ve had her down here,” said Zeron, who suggested the team is looking to come up with a plan to decide whether to race the filly either in the Hambletonian Oaks or the Hambletonian against male foes. “We’re not really concerned with the competition. We want to be comfortable going heats with her,” said Zeron.

As for James Lynch Memorial winner Kissin In The Sand, Zeron couldn’t say enough about the Nancy Johansson-trained filly. “I’ve been trying to protect her in some of the early races looking to set her up behind cover. That didn’t happen on Saturday and I think people will be talking about that mile for a long time,” said Zeron.

The Meadowlands kicks off Saturday’s card with an early 6:35 p.m. post time.