Sutton scores in Big M’s Shiaway St Pat Series final
April 20, 2018,by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
East Rutherford, NJ — After a successful 3-year-old campaign in 2016 that saw him bank a little more than $360,000 and finish third in the Hambletonian behind Marion Marauder and Southwind Frank, Sutton did not race at all last year.
Foot problems derailed his 4-year-old season, so trainer Julie Miller and staff worked patiently with the horse, opting to keep the son of Donato Hanover on the sidelines until April 6 of this year, a layoff of 16 months.
Lisa photo
Sutton and driverAndy Miller are clear of the field in the Friday night feature at theMeadowlands, the $52,500 Shiaway St Pat Series final for trotters.
Sutton proved worth the wait, taking the $52,500 Shiaway St Pat Series final for trotters at the Meadowlands Friday night (April 20).
“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” said Miller after the victory. “He had a good week.”
And an even better night.
Sutton didn’t race like a horse with any problems, sitting fourth in the early going before moving aggressively to the lead at the half. The Andy Miller-driven 5-year-old then drew clear of 5-1 fourth-choice Perseverance by 2-1/2 lengths at the head of the stretch on the way to an easy 1-3/4 ength win over a late-closing Deep Impact in 1:53.1. Perseverance held third.
“He had a solid mile last week (when he won leg two of the series),” said Julie Miller. “Right now, we have all of his issues under control.”
Sutton, who paid $4.20 as the even-money favorite, has now won nine of 29 lifetime starts and earned $475,263 for owners Andy Miller Stable and Jason and Douglas Allen.
A LITTLE MORE: Gold Medal Swan ($3.00) took the GSY Amateur Driving Club Spring Fling Series final in 1:56.3, winning his third straight since trainer Mark Silva took over the driving chores. … Leading driver Jim Marohn Jr. had three winners on the card. … The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five failed to result in a single-ticket winner, upping the carryover to $197,059. … All-source wagering for the 10 races was $2,078,568. … Racing resumes at the Big M Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
- After a year away, stakes-winner Sutton ready to return (Thursday, April 05, 2018)
After spending more than a year away from the races in an effort to resolve chronic foot issues, multiple-stakes-winner Sutton returns to action in Friday’s first round of the Shiaway St Pat Series for trotters at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, N.J.
- Sutton rebounds in Big M’s Shiaway St Pat (Friday, April 13, 2018)
One week after breaking stride in a disastrous start to his 2018 campaign, Sutton came back with a superb performance at the Meadowlands in the Friday night (April 13) feature, the second and final leg of the Shiaway St Pat series for trotters.
- Shiaway St Pat final heads Friday card at The Meadowlands (Thursday, April 19, 2018)
Friday night (April 20) at The Meadowlands brings with it a 10-race live card featuring the $52,500 final of the Shiaway St Pat series for trotters.