East Rutherford, NJ — Friday (Aug. 6) night the Meadowlands hosted the Garden State Trot for 2-year-old fillies and colts, sponsored by the SBOANJ. The card held four $40,000 races, two divisions for the fillies and two divisions for the colts and geldings.

Gracelyn Hanover was one of three victories for sire Walner on Friday night. Lisa Photo.

The first division took place in the second race,  Gracelyn Hanover (Walner-Gatka Hanover) took the $40,000 purse for trainer John Butenschoen. The filly started from post six and was sent straight to the top by driver Corey Callahan. As one of the favorites, she sailed to the wire uncontested in 1:53.3. This is the first win of the season for Gracelyn Hanover with earnings of $37,500. Missy Trix (David Miller) came in second with Magic Can Happen (Ake Svanstedt) in third.

The second division for the fillies went to Misswalner Fashion (Walner-Sweet Love) for trainer Jim Campbell. Tim Tetrick steered the 2-year-old Walner filly to victory in 1:54.4.  This is Misswalner Fashion’s second-lifetime win in just two starts bringing her earnings to $30,000. I’m Happy Hanover (Daniel Dube) was second with Primadonna Deo (Troy Beyer) finishing third.

Later on the card, in the eighth race, the 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings had their chance at the $40,000 purse.  Hl Balou (Trixton-Made It Happen) and driver Todd McCarthy were able to nose out the favorite at the wire to take home the win for trainer Harry Landy. The colt sat patiently in the two-hole behind Pretender (Yannick Gingras) to bring home his first win of the season in 1:56.2. This was only his fourth start, making his earnings $22,000 to date for owners Share A Horse Inc. of Monroe Twp, N.J. Pretender was a close second with Abruzzo (Marcus Miller) coming in third.

The last division of the night was in the 12 race where the Chuck Sylvester trainee Simon (Walner-Kristine Anne) took home the win.  Driver Dexter Dunn steered the Walner colt to victory upsetting the favorite Periculum in 1:55.1. This marks win number 2 for Simon with earnings of $28,775 for the young colt. Periculum (Mattias Melander) was second with Jaqen H’ghar (Svanstedt) was third.

The 3-year-old divisions of the Garden State Trot will take place in September at Freehold. Visit sboanj.com for a list of eligibles.