by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

East Rutherford, NJ — Aperfectyankee had a perfect day at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday, winning the $387,250 Peter Haughton Memorial in 1:54.1 for Swede Jim Oscarsson, who owns, trains and drives the 2-year-old colt trotter.

Corky was second, beaten by a neck, and Fashion Blizzard was third. Aperfectyankee paid $10.80 to win.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Aperfectyankee won the Peter Haughton Memorial in 1:54.1 for owner/driver/trainer Jim Oscarsson of Sweden.

Oscarsson guided Aperfectyankee to the lead from post four before yielding the top spot to favorite Major Athens as the field approached the halfway point in :56.2. Aperfectyankee remained in second until coming off the final turn, when Oscarsson moved out and got by Major Athens before holding off Corky and driver David Miller.

It was Oscarsson’s first Meadowlands win. Aperfectyankee has won two of four starts, including a Tompkins-Geers Stakes at Tioga Downs.

“He was strong all the way, so I was satisfied,” Oscarsson said.

Last week, Aperfectyankee went off stride behind the gate, but rallied to finish fourth in his Peter Haughton elimination.

“He was so excited when we got up to the gate,” Oscarsson said. “When I went in between the horses he was too excited and he got under the gate.”

Aperfectyankee is a son of Yankee Glide out of the mare Asixpakfromperfect. He was purchased for $55,000 at the Lexington Selected Sale.

Oscarsson is based in Sweden, but came to the U.S. during the winter. He has six wins from 25 starts as a trainer and four of 20 as a driver.

“It was so cold now for two or three winters, I told my wife we were going to go to Florida to train some horses,” Oscarsson said. “So far, so good.”