from Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – May 22, 2005 – Ray Gun [$4.20, $2.40, $2.20] fired in the stretch and coasted to a two-length victory in the fifth race, the $49,255 Hiram Woodruff Final, on Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands.
It was the last of this year’s Sunday matinee programs at the Meadowlands, which now switches to a Wednesday through Saturday night schedule in addition to a special Memorial Day afternoon program on Monday, May 30.
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Ray Gun trotted the mile in a lifetime best of 1:53.2, equaling the stakes record set by Muscles Marinara in 2004.
Ray Gun trotted the mile in a lifetime best of 1:53.2, equaling the stakes record set by Muscles Marinara in 2004. In both instances, Brian Sears was in the sulky.
“We took him off the pace, the way he’s racing best,” said Sears of Ray Gun. “We followed Mr McNally and closed well. He’s a nice little horse.”
Mr McNally [$3.00, $2.20] held on for second, and it was three lengths back to Lhasa Muscles [$2.20] in third.
“I bought him in late January,” said Ross Croghan, who trains Ray Gun for the Let It Ride Stables of Delray Beach, Florida and the Stake Your Claim Stable of Secaucus, New Jersey. “He was struggling late in the race week after week. I took the trotting hobbles off of him, qualified him and he got better and better.”
Ray Gun, a five-year-old son of Donerail, now has two wins, three seconds and three thirds from 17 starts this year for earnings of $68,729. Lifetime, the trotter has 11 wins, 10 seconds and six thirds from 46 starts and a bankroll of $141,519. Ray Gun was coupled in the wagering with Earl’s Charm K.