EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Clear For Landing found just enough space along the rail nearing the wire and shot through that opening to take the Friday night (Feb. 6) feature at The Meadowlands, a $17,500 high-end conditioned trot.
A 4-year-old gelded son of Tactical Landing-Claire Michelle, Clear For Landing was away quickly from post two in the 10-horse field and needed every bit of what turned out to be a perfect trip to grab his ninth career win from just 16 starts.
“I was fortunate enough to work out a trip,” said winning driver Brett Beckwith. “The horse raced tremendously.”
A spirited battle to the quarter saw Finite with a narrow edge while racing parked in :29 as High Speed Swan raced along the rail with Benny J on the rim after an unsuccessful bid from post 10 to grab a spot along the inside. Beckwith and Clear For Landing were sitting fourth in the three-hole as Benny J moved to the lead at the half while still parked in :56.4.
Finite came back and shrugged off Benny J, re-claiming the point at three-quarters in 1:24.4, but by now, 2-5 favorite High Speed Swan was moving well three-wide after following a live tow and surged into contention as the field straightened up into the stretch.
Finite was determined, clinging to the lead at mid-stretch as High Speed Swan, who appeared to be on his way to an easy win, flattened out, creating the opportunity Clear For Landing needed. Nearing the wire, Clear For Landing found just enough space along the inside to move past a super-game Finite to go on to record a 3/4-length win in a lifetime-best 1:53.3. High Speed Swan settled for third.
“Those were two good horses down the stretch,” said Beckwith. “I thought Colin’s (Kelly, driving High Speed Swan) horse would be home free.”
Instead, it was the Per Engblom student who would go on to win for the third time in his last five tries, all of those outings at the mile oval.
“I was fortunate to weave in and out,” said Beckwith of the trip with Clear For Landing. “He’s a really honest horse. He doesn’t have the best gait, but he makes up for it in heart. He’s a horse who has benefited from coming over here to The Meadowlands.”
As the 9-2 second choice in the wagering, Clear For Landing returned $11.60 to his backers.
CHEYENNE’S IN SEVENTH HEAVEN: Cheyenne Christman, the 23-year-old Multimedia Content Specialist at the United States Trotting Association, had quite the debut appearing on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set alongside The Big M’s Dave Little on the track’s live simulcast presentation.
Christman tabbed seven winners on top, including Clear For Landing in the eighth race ($11.60) and Soeur Mary in the 12th ($9.00). In addition, she had the eighth race exacta, which paid $154.80, as well as the trifecta ice cold, which returned $499.60.
She also gave out the Early 50-cent Pick-4, where her followers cashed in for $155.25 for a $36 investment.
Ken Warkentin was also red hot, as the veteran Big M voice also gave out seven on top.
PICK-8 REPORT: The first time the $1 Pick-8 was offered was a clear success, as a hair less than $5,000 was bet by patrons to go on top of the $50,000 seeded by the wager’s sponsor, Peter Kleinhans. Those with seven winners collected $2,712.28, and with no one holding a perfect ticket, there will be a carryover of $40,684 when racing resumes.
NO RACING SATURDAY: Due to the anticipated extreme cold temperatures, racing for Saturday (Feb. 7) was canceled.
A LITTLE MORE: Beckwith, as usual, was the top dog of the driver colony with six winners on the night. … Ron Burke and Engblom tied for top trainer with two victories apiece. … All-source handle on the 15-race program totaled $2,608,671. … Racing resumes Friday (Feb. 13) at 6:20 p.m.