by James Witherite, Meadowlands racing media

East Rutherford, NJ — Pacing divisions of the final Kindergarten Classic series preliminary highlighted the Saturday (Oct. 29) undercard, each going for $10,000.

Eleven 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings contested the opener, and Chip Walther ($3.60) lived up to his odds-on billing. The son of Art Major and Bittorsweet Terror sustained a first-over bid for over half a mile to barely collar Air Strike (David Miller) in 1:51.2, earning a third consecutive victory in the act.

Marcus Miller handled the driving duties for trainer Erv Miller.

In the filly division, carded as the night’s finale, Gurl Band K ($6.60) evaded her nine rivals for a 1:52.3 score. Matt Kakaley drove the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven and Native Flower for owner Robert Key and trainer Andrew Harris.

In all, the weekend’s 12 Breeders Crown events attracted a total of $3,954,042, with total all-sources handle for the weekend coming in at $6,409,792.

Live racing returns to the Big M on Friday (November 4) evening, with post time slated for 7:15 p.m. Eastern.