from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Despite drifting closer to the grandstand with every stride, Splendid Kisser was able to hold on for the victory in the $46,300 Sportsnet New York Final on Thursday night (April 17) at the Meadowlands.

Lisa Photo

Splendid Kisser was a 1:50.1 winner for Yannick Gingras.

Driver Yannick Gingras seized the lead with Splendid Kisser as the field approached the final turn in a swift 1:21.1. As Splendid Kisser pulled away, he drifted toward the outside. However, his lead was enough to hold off the late rally of Cinderella Guy for a 1-3/4 length victory in 1:50.1.

“I think he was tired,” Gingras said of the pacer’s behavior in the stretch. “A little inexperienced, a little tired. Three-quarters in 1:21 — he’s never seen those kind of fractions before. He was still going to the wire, not slowing down that much, just a little tired.

“I didn’t have a concern that I had (Captain Cambest) on my back really. That’s where I wanted him. I just didn’t want to come first up on him. I actually thought I was going to get to follow second over, but when Ron (Pierce and Captain Cambest) rushed to the front that was the worst spot for me, to be first up at him. I had no worries having him at my back.

“I think he has a real good future and as the races go along, he’s going to be racing against tougher horses. Being able to race him from behind is more his game, but when you are (4-5) and you’re in a series final, you’ve got to give him a shot.”

Splendid Kisser picked up his sixth win in eight starts this season and boosted his earnings to $73,854. Jeff Stafford trains the 4-year-old pacer for owner-breeder White Birch Farm of Allentown, N.J.