Racing Roundup: Sir Caviar equals own track mark in Meadows trot
May 7, 2012,from harness publicists across North America
Monday’s (May 7) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from The Meadows, Harrington Raceway and Monticello Raceway.
Sir Caviar equals own track mark in Meadows trot
Washington, PA — Enjoying an unusual inside post position, Sir Caviar used it well Monday at The Meadows, controlling the mile and capturing the $22,500 Preferred Trot in 1:53.1, matching his own track record for older geldings.
The top trot typically is written as a handicap; when Sir Caviar drops in, he most often is assigned an outside post. Monday, however, he landed the rail in an open draw and took full advantage of it.
The 6-year-old SJ’s Caviar-Sierra Flower K gelding rushed to the front for Brian Zendt, briefly relinquished the lead to Trotslikethewind, then reclaimed it and defeated Break The Bank K by 1-1/2 lengths. Trotslikethewind, who saw her four-race winning streak snapped, saved show.
Leslie Zendt trains Sir Caviar, who now boasts $395,269 in career earnings, and owns with Bill Zendt.
Mike Wilder drove four winners — three for trainer Dan Altmeyer — and Tony Hall also fashioned a driving four-bagger on the 16-race card.
— Evan Pattak
Harrington Raceway
Ed Edwards’ Volo ($61.40, Allan Davis) was a long shot winner in Monday’s $18,000 Open at Harrington Raceway in 1:53.1. It wasn’t long ago that the 7-year-old Capital Request gelding was in $7,500 claiming races in 2010. Two years removed from bottom level claimers, Volo is following an $83,302 campaign with nearly $50,000 already in 2012 after his most recent win. Trained by James Popo, Volo mounted his attack late after collapsing pacesetter Remus Blue Chip faltered as the outer flow began to take off. Volo hit his best gear late in deep stretch and held off a fast closing As Bad As Thunder for the win. Bad Rusty finished third. It was the fourth win of the season for Volo and first career win in Open company. Davis, Tony Morgan and Ross Wolfenden each had driving doubles.
Monticello Raceway
The often-claimed pacing mare Allikiat Fighter notched her fifth consecutive victory at Monticello Raceway on Monday afternoon. Greg Merton handled the driving chores for trainer and co-owner Betsy Phillips and kept the mare within striking distance throughout the first half. Then up the backside a three deep move enabled Allikait Fighter to zoom to the front before the final turn and coast home an easy, one-length winner in a time of 1:57.3. This is the third time I drove her and I’m impressed with her quick speed,” Merton said after her victory. “When she travels along behind company and then pull her, she circles horses quickly and opens up daylight. She did that again today and, in fact, all three times I drove her.” It was the sixth season’s triumph for the 8-year-old daughter of Artiscape and the 44th of her career — which has enabled her to post lifetime earnings of $156,388. Last year she won 15 races. Co-owned by Phillips and Carl Gillespie, Allikait Fighter paid just $2.50 for win and $2.10 for place in the eight horse field in which there was no show wagering. The victory with Allikait Fighter was one of three that Merton had on the card and it marked the fourth consecutive program on which Greg Merton has had a hat trick.