Pocono: Melander trainees Greenshoe, Green Manalishi prevail in Beal Memorial elims

Greenshoe was the story coming in to the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial trials on Saturday night, and the top-ranked sophomore trotter didn't disappoint with a powerhouse performance, breezing home in 1:52 3/5 while under wraps in his $25,000 division at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Driver Brian Sears didn't get into the activity early, instead settling Greenshoe in fourth as Goes Down Smooth jetted to the front quickly, with Osterc to his outside. Dexter Dunn kept Goes Down Smooth on the lead past the 27 4/5 quarter and parked Osterc to the three-eighths marker before releasing the second choice. Osterc, with Yannick Gingras, was able to settle quickly and hit the half in a pedestrian 57 1/5 clocking.

Sears didn't wait very long, and he energized Greenshoe heading into the second turn. With measured strides Greenshoe ate up ground and went by Osterc effortlessly on the final turn, though Gingras didn't appear to try to keep him out. Greenshoe strolled off into the stretch off three-quarters in 1:25 and cruised home with a :27 3/5 final panel. Osterc had trot to be gaining on the winner, with Marseille, along the inside, finishing third. Goes Down Smooth and Reign Of Honor finished in a dead-heat for fourth and both advanced to the final.

Courant Inc. Hans Backe, Lars Granqvist, and Morten Langli share ownership of Greenshoe, who is now undefeated in three sophomore starts for trainer Marcus Melander. The overwhelming public choice Greenshoe paid $2.10 to win.

Green Manalishi, making his debut as a sophomore, overpowered Summit In Sight in the late stages to score in his $25,000 Beal elimination. A son of Muscle Hill, Green Manalishi was driven by Tim Tetrick.

White Tiger left sharply ahead of Swandre The Giant and cut fractions of 27 1/5 and 55 4/5 before being put under pressure and succumbing in short order when Summit In Sight and driver Andy Miller came calling on the backstretch. Summit In Sight opened some ground on Green Manalishi on the final turn after hitting three-quarters in 1:24, but once in the stretch Green Manalishi ate up ground with authority, posting a 1:52 1/5 career-best clocking. Sent off at 5-2, Green Manalishi paid $7.40.

Summit In Sight finished second, followed by Swandre The Giant and Wittyville, who also reached the final.

Courant Inc. owns Green Manalishi, a Swedish import who gave Melander a sweep of the Beal eliminations.