from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Freehold Raceway hosted three $16,000 eliminations for the Dexter Cup, a Grand Circuit stake for 3-year-old male trotters, on Saturday afternoon (April 30).

The first (and fastest) elimination was captured by David Miller and Enzed Racing Stable’s Cufflink Hanover, who took advantage of a perfect trip to score in a time of 1:57.3. Co-owner Miller was in the sulky as the son of Andover Hall-CR Savoire Faire posted his initial win in two season’s starts. The Nifty Norman trainee was a 1-1/4 length winner over Steed (Matt Kakaley), who cut fractions of :29.2, :59.2 and 1:28.3 before yielding to the winner in the lane. Credevie was third for trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer.

The second division was captured by Courant A B’s Dominion Beach, a 1:58 winner for driver Marcus Johansson and trainer Nancy Johansson. The Muscle Hill-Windylane Hanover sophomore brushed to the lead at the three-quarter pole and then held off a late surge by Sir Royson (Jim Marohn Jr.) to win by a half-length. Cloud Nine Hanover was third for trainer/driver Charlie Norris. The victory was the third lifetime for Dominion Beach, who upped his career earnings to $98,267.

Owner Courant A B also captured the final elimination as Dante went gate-to-wire for trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt to emerge victorious in 1:58.3. The Credit Winner-Michelle’s Angel colt pulled away in the lane for a 3-1/2 length victory over Inukchuk Chuck (Jim Marshall III) with Hillman third for trainer/driver Marcus Melander. The victory was the first in three career starts for Dante.

The first two finishers in each of the eliminations will return for next Saturday’s (May 7) final. The remaining two finalists will be drawn by lot from the three horses finishing third in the eliminations.