from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Tiger Tinch ($42.00, $10.00, $6.80) split horses in the final strides to pull off the upset in the sixth race, the $76,000 Senior Trendsetter Final, on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 25) at the Meadowlands.

Driver Tim Tetrick, the current leading dash winning driver in North America, was in the sulky for the 1:51.4 mile.

In the four-horse photo finish, Crawdad ($3.20, $2.20) was second by a nose. It was a neck back to Natural Talent ($4.00) in third.

Ohio bred Tiger Tinch is trained and owned by Dan Ater, of Clarksburg, Ohio. The 4-year-old gelded son of Towner’s Big Guy notched his second win of the year in his eighth start and increased his career earnings to $94,518.

“I wanted to be up close,” Tetrick said after the victory. “I was hoping they would speed up the fractions so I could shake loose late and it worked out. (At the top of the stretch) I didn’t think I would find room. I squeezed through and Cat’s horse came in a little and Brennan’s horse moved out. My horse was loaded and did all the work after that. I am glad to get to the winner’s circle.”

Manzi scores double in Horse and Groom opener

Hall of Fame driver Cat Manzi picked up a pair of wins in the opening round of the Horse and Groom Series on Sunday afternoon.

In the first of three $20,000 divisions, American Lane ($22.80, $5.00, $3.80) took the second race in 1:55 for Manzi and trainer Homer Hochstetler. The gelded son of Primrose Lane recorded his second win in seven starts this year.

Manzi repeated the following race and guided Jabez ($7.60, $3.00, $3.40) to victory in the third race division. Trained by Matthew Butcher, Jr., the gelded son of Muscles Yankee scored his first win of the year in 1:56.2.

Rounding out the Horse and Groom action, Two Weeks Notice ($11.60, $4.80, $3.20) took the fifth race division in 1:55.4 for the Ray Remmen Stable and driver Ron Pierce.

The Horse and Groom Series continues next Sunday, March 4, and concludes with an estimated $85,000 final on March 11.