Flanagan Memory is an upset winner in Cashman Memorial
August 8, 2015,by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications
East Rutherford, NJ — Flanagan Memory and driver Brian Sears won Saturday’s (Aug. 8) $301,500 John Cashman Jr. Memorial for older trotters by three lengths over Gural Hanover in 2:05.4 for 1-1/8 miles at Meadowlands Racetrack.
Obrigado finished third and Natural Herbie was fourth.
There were multiple lead changes in the race’s early goings, with Melady’s Monet, Magic Tonight, Intimidate and Market Share all occupying the top spot as the 12-horse field raced through fractions of :26.1, :55 and 1:23 to three-quarters.
Flanagan Memory, who was sent off at 9-1 odds, followed Obrigado in the outside flow around the final turn before trotting through the stretch to victory. It was his second consecutive triumph at the Meadowlands, following his 1:51.4 triumph in the TVG Open last weekend.
“I watched him race last year at (age) 4 and he’s a really nice horse and he’s come a long ways,” Sears said. “We got the kind of trip he likes. We got some good flow and it worked out well.”
Flanagan Memory (Kadabra-Classy Stacy) has won 13 of 44 career races and earned $808,678. He is trained by Rene Dion, who owns the horse with Liette Flanagan.