Symphony In Motion & Jamie Sue capture Friday stakes at New Meadowlands

Friday at the Meadowlands Racetrack was a night for winning streaks to come to a halt. Higher And Higher (4 straight wins) and Winning It (5 for 5 in her career) both fell to defeat in stakes finals.

The journey told the tale in the $63,750 Cape & Cutter final. Symphony In Motion sat a cozy pocket trip and scooted up the cones for the narrowest of triumphs over race favorite Higher And Higher.

Rock N Soul was sent directly to the front through a quick opening quarter of :26 2/5. Passing the first call, Higher And Higher was pointed to the rim and began her uncovered grind towards the leader. She was followed closely by Symphony In Motion’s entry-mate Royal Cee Ce e N, who never saw the cones during the mile. Positions remained unchanged past a :54 3/5 half and 1:24 three quarter clocking.

In the stretch, Higher And Higher grinded her way to the front and appeared to be on her way to a fifth consecutive win, but Symphony In Motion refused to be defeated. The 8-year-old Bettor’s Delight-sired mare showed her class to win by a nose in 1:52 1/5.

Even driver Ron Pierce was a bit surprised that Symphony In Motion kept her nose up. “I didn’t (think she won) because Higher And Higher is so long and tall and my mare is so short,” said Pierce.

Symphony In Motion’s 35th career win in 119 starts pushed her over the $1,000,000 mark in career earnings.

“I’m really happy for the mare,” said trainer Mark Harder, who continued, “You don’t get lucky to win a million dollars. She’s just gotten better as the series has gone along.”

Owned by Joseph Jannuzzelli and Carol Demarch, Symphony In Motion will start next in the Blue Chip Matchmaker series at Yonkers Raceway.

Another pocket-sitter came up victorious in the $47,000 Tender Loving Care final. Jamie Sue finished with a late surge to score in 1:54.

After plenty of early action and a :27 4/5 opening quarter, 3-5 favorite Winning It found herself on the lead just before a :55 4/5 half. She was tracked intently by Jamie Sue, with Air Guitar Hanover sitting third.

Tollfree Hanover put in a brief uncovered bid, but as she passed three quarters in 1:25 4/5 it appeared as though Winning It was going to prevail again. Though she had a lead in the stretch, the sophomore filly simply lost her action and made a break, allowing Jamie Sue to get up late over Air Guitar Hanover, who rode the pylons with no excuse.

“She raced really good,” said winning driver Tim Tetrick, who admitted that Jamie Sue still has a lot to learn. He continued, “She doesn’t pay attention out there. She has an open bridle on and is always looking around. When she finally gets in gear, she goes.”

For Jamie Sue, it was her second victory in four 2012 starts. She has now earned $97,717 for owner Robert DiNozzi while under the care of trainer Mark Ford.