from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Trainer Rene Allard has a busy weekend on tap with his burgeoning stable at Meadowlands Racetrack. The 24-year-old from Saint-Esprit, Quebec, rates his roster of Friday and Saturday night contenders.

Friday
Race 6 – Fillies And Mares Conditioned Pace
8-McFlirty
“Back in March, I started watching her and she could pace around 1:51. Then, she dropped from the Preferred to race for a $30,000 tag. When she came back to the Meadowlands, she dropped back in for $30,000, so I took her. She hits her knees, but I can often do well with those, so I took a shot with her.”

Race 7 – Open Trot
9-Rose Run Hooligan
“I don’t think he’s raced at the Meadowlands. He’s one of the nicer horses I have. We bought him privately for $130,000 a couple of years ago, and we’ve made about $300,000 with him. In his last start at Georgian Downs, his driver Scott Zeron said if he would’ve had room he wins. He had nowhere to go. He’s got gate speed, Simon knows how to use it, and he’s consistent.”

Saturday
Race 2 – $20,000 Claiming Pace
4-Colonel Moffitt
“He was a very good second last week to Hit Away, who was really sharp. He’s got speed and can finish up well. We bought him in Ontario, but his lifetime mark of 1:50.3 is at the Meadowlands. I figured he’d be alright there. He made that one break at Chester two starts back, yet I think he should be well spotted dropping in there for $20,000 on Saturday. Probably somebody will claim him. That’s the game. You have to put them in where they belong.”

Race 5 – $50,000 Claiming Pace
2-Scotian Laddie
“That horse won by nine in 1:53 over Flamboro Downs, so I said I had to bring that horse to the Meadowlands. I thought he could win in 1:49 down there. He’s been so unlucky. In his first start down there, Simon left from post eight, he was parked the whole way, pretty much three-wide and still finished fifth. So, because of the tough trip, we gave him two weeks off and decided to race him from off the pace. He finished a strong second in a gapped out field and I Wanna Go Fast went in 1:49.4. Last week, when Simon pulled, Brian Sears came underneath him and forced us three wide. We still finished third by a head. He’s got a really good shot this Saturday.”

Race 6 – Open Pace
4-Strand Hanover
“He came back really good, qualified well, but in his first two starts he’s been first up in both miles. The first time they went a cheap half and then he ended up uncovered into wicked fractions. This week we want to race him a little more covered up. I gave him a couple of weeks off in the field. He’s back jogging and I trained him Thursday morning.”

Race 7 – The Ramblin Storm (NW $11,250)
5-Dinner Guest
“Last week, he was really strong first over, and he’s going to give us a shot at winning at least three on Saturday.”

Early opening Saturday for Belmont Stakes simulcast

Meadowlands gates will open at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday (June 11) for the simulcast of the the 143rd Belmont Stakes, featuring a rematch between Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness victor Shackleford.

The full-card simulcast from Belmont Park begins at 11:35 a.m. The Belmont Stakes is race 11 with an estimated 6:35 p.m. post.