by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

East Rutherford, NJ — Ariana G was the most dangerous woman in Saturday’s (Aug. 6) $306,500 Jim Doherty Memorial for 2-year-old female trotters, rallying in the stretch to beat Chezatter by one length in 1:53.1 at the Meadowlands. That’s All Moni finished third.

Ariana G, a daughter of Muscle Hill-Cantab It All and a full sister to multiple-stakes-winner All The Time, is 4-for-4 this year. She is trained by Jimmy Takter for owners Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld, who also bred the filly.

Takter also trains That’s All Moni, who is co-owned by Katz and Libfeld with Brittany Farms.

Waffle Cone was the race’s early leader, hitting the opening quarter-mile in :28.1, before briefly yielding the top spot to That’s All Moni. Waffle Cone retook the lead by the half, reached in :56.1, before facing pressure from Broadway Idole entering the final turn.

Chezatter made a three-wide move coming off the turn and Ariana G, who was fifth in the early goings, followed her before fanning four-wide in the stretch to begin her march through the lane.

“I was sweating in the first turn, actually,” said winning driver Yannick Gingras. “I got myself in a bad spot, well, I had the rail so I didn’t have much of a choice with (horses) outside of me there but I was able to get out. After that, I felt I was following the filly to beat, so I was confident from there.”

Ariana G, the 3-5 favorite, pushed her career earnings to $215,587 with the victory.

She paid $3.20 to win.