by Jonathan Marsh, USTA Web Newsroom Correspondent

Columbus, OH — After pushing her career earnings to the million dollar mark June 10 at Harrah’s Chester, Tidewaterdragonfly is approaching her first stakes race of 2009.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Tidewaterdragonfly will challenge an elite group of mares in Friday’s Lady Liberty at The Meadowlands.

“We were real tickled,” said trainer Kelly O’Donnell, referring to Tidewaterdragonfly’s career earnings. “We were going to try to do it at the end of last year, but we figured she just had enough. She deserved making the million. We had our fingers crossed.”

Owned by David Beachler and Annefuria Singleton, the 5-year-old mare is ready to pace for the $246,000 purse that awaits the challengers in Friday’s (June 26) Lady Liberty at The Meadowlands, but even O’Donnell admitted that there are some tough mares in the upcoming race.

“Southwind Tempo looks unbeatable,” he said. “Hopefully we get a good trip. My mare had a real rough trip last week (in a Filly and Mares Invitational at The Meadowlands), but she held on for fourth.”

Despite the final position, the daughter of Dragon Again-Happy Jinny was still able to earn $2,520 with her time of 1:50.1 at The Meadowlands last week.

Tidewaterdragonfly still fights against troublesome ankles and feet, and the issues only intensify as she ages.

“If we can keep her sound, this will be her last year,” O’Donnell said. After her racing days are completed and she is retired, breeding would be the next step.

She’s built up her 2009 earnings to $28,870 since returning to the track in April, while her lifetime earnings are currently $1,007,767 with 41 starts yielding 15 wins.

Tidewaterdragonfly’s pacing style has always been one of a follower, but last week she left the gate and pushed for the early lead. Perhaps the outburst was a reminder to the competition that there’s still enough blaze under her hooves to suppress the other pacers.

“She’s only had four or five starts, so hopefully she’ll be fresher than the rest of them,” O’Donnell said. “She is a follower more than a leader and that’s the way we’re going to race her this week.”

The field for Friday’s race at The Meadowlands is as follows: 1-Southwind Tempo (Tim Tetrick); 2-Cheyenne Trish (Andy Miller); 3-A And G’sconfusion (David Miller); 4-Happy Dreamer (Brian Sears); 5-Tidewaterdragonfly (Ron Pierce); 6-Hana Hanover (George Brennan); 7-Tug River Princess (John Campbell); and 8-Darlin’s Delight (Yannick Gingras).