by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — A number of harness racing’s stars were out Thursday (April 8) in qualifying action at the Meadowlands.

Corleone Kosmos, the 2008 Breeders Crown Trot winner, won his first qualifier of the year by three-quarters of a length over two-time Dan Patch Award honoree Buck I St Pat in 1:57.2. Corleone Kosmos was driven by John Campbell for trainer Jeff Webster. Buck I St Pat, making her seasonal debut as well, was driven by Tim Tetrick for trainer Ron Burke, and closed with the race’s fastest final quarter-mile (:27.4).

Won The West, last season’s Dan Patch Award winner as best older male pacer, won by a head over rival Shark Gesture in 1:53. David Miller drove Won The West for Burke while George Brennan guided Shark Gesture, who last year won the William Haughton Memorial and Canadian Pacing Derby, for trainer Larry Remmen.

Also returning to action in the older pacing division was Bettor Sweet, who last year won the Classic Series. Bettor Sweet was third in his qualifier, behind Share The Delight and Dial Or Nodial. Share The Delight won by 6-1/2 lengths in 1:51.1 for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Linda Toscano. Dial Or Nodial, who finished second for the third time in a qualifier this year, was timed in 1:52.2 for Brian Sears and Jim Campbell while Bettor Sweet got home in 1:52.4 for John Campbell and Tom Cancelliere.

Kentucky Filly Futurity champion Seaside won a qualifier in 1:57.1 for Miller and trainer Jonas Czernyson.

Tug River Princess, the Dan Patch Award winner as 2008’s best 3-year-old filly pacer, finished fifth in her seasonal qualifying debut. Southwind Swallow, the 2008 Canadian Breeders champion, won the race in 1:53.2 for driver Ron Pierce and trainer Noel Daley while Tug River Princess, in line to John Campbell for trainer Jeff Webster, was timed in 1:54.3.

New Jersey Sire Stakes champ and Bluegrass Stakes division winner Rock N Roll Heaven, who also was second in the Metro Pace and Governor’s Cup, won in 1:54.4 for driver Daniel Dube and trainer Bruce Saunders.

Mr Cantab won in 1:57.4 for driver George Brennan and trainer Erv Miller. A half brother to Passionate Glide, Marita’s Victory and Mr Vic, the horse was purchased as a yearling for $350,000. He was second in a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial last season.