Melander wins three Kindergartens at Big M

East Rutherford, NJ — Marcus Melander shined brightest at The Meadowlands Friday night (Sept. 18), as his trainees scored three times among the 10 divisions of the first leg of the Kindergarten Classic for 2-year-olds of both sexes and gait.

Moonstone S (Tim Tetrick) was the first winner of the night for Melander in the third race colts and geldings trot. The son of Muscle Hill-Moonlight Kronos, who finished second in the Aug. 8 Peter Haughton Memorial, pulled the pocket after the half and sailed off to an easy 2-1/2 length score as the 6-5 favorite. He recorded his first win in five-lifetime starts after stopping the clock in 1:55.

Melander and Brian Sears teamed up to take the fourth race filly trot with Ineffable, a daughter of Cantab Hall-Jolene Jolene, who won for the second time in five lifetime tries. The 6-5 public choice, who was third in the Aug. 8 Jim Doherty Memorial, emerged from the pocket to win by a half-length in 1:56.2.

Sonofamistery and driver Brian Sears hit the wire first in a division of the Kindergarten Classic for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the trot, one of three winners on the night for trainer Marcus Melander. Lisa Photo.

In race seven, Melander completed his three-bagger with a second score in a colts and geldings trot as his Sonofamistery (Sears), rolled to an easy 1-3/4 length win in 1:56.1 after racing parked out for the final half-mile. The son of Muscle Hill-Mistery Woman, who broke in each of his first two seasonal starts, paid $3.00 after being sent off as the heavy 1-2 favorite. He’s now won twice from four outings.

BIG ACTION: Betting was vigorous in the two multi-leg wagers that offered carryovers. The Late 20-cent Pick-5, which had $21,811 in the hat to start, attracted $123,810 in “new money” for a total pool of $145,621. Those who had tickets with the combination of 5-8-6-6-5 cashed in for $414.64. The Late 20-cent Pick-4 sported a total pool of $172,828 after $134,438 was added to the $38,390 carryover. Tickets reading 8-6-6-5 returned $344.30. … All-source wagering totaled $2,618,071.

A LITTLE MORE: Lindysmusclemania stayed perfect in three starts after taking a Kindergarten division for trotting colts and geldings. The Ake Svanstedt-trained son of Muscle Hill-Possessed By Lindy hit the wire in a lifetime-best 1:54.4, 3-1/2 lengths to the good with Andy Miller driving the 6-5 favorite. … Speaking of favorites, they scored in nine straight races beginning in race two. By night’s end, 10 post-time choices had visited the winner’s circle from 13 races. … Live racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

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