East Rutherford, NJ — Favorites were defeated in both Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club races on Friday (July 26) at the Meadowlands.
In the first race, James Slendorn, driving his Empereurthebest FR, left hard from his rail position and seated all his competition, but he paid a stiff price going the first quarter in a rapid :27.1. Sitting the pocket journey from his outside post and a half-mile timing of :56.1, Fashion Cantab (Tony Verruso) waited patiently before pouncing on the vulnerable leader as the field entered the stretch. He gained command through the lane and held off a late charge by favorite Love This Bar (Bruce Baker) to win by just over a length in 1:55. Rounding out the trifecta was long shot, Masster Blue (Joe Lee). Symon Spicer trains the victorious Cantab Hall gelding for owner George Beck.
In the seventh race, a revved-up Passa-Grille Beach (Cameron Capone) parked Rock Jagger (John Calabrese) through taxing :27 and :54.2 first-half fractions. The pacesetter almost managed to pull off the upset but was nosed out in the shadow of the wire by Whammer Jammer (James Slendorn) in 1:51.2. Long shot Alta Blues A (Darran Cassar) rounded out a nice trifecta. This was the second straight week that Slendorn won on this horse that he owns and Kelvin Harrison trains.
The MADC will be back Saturday (July 27). First post is 6:20 p.m.