Trixton dominates in NJSS – Shebestingin upset by Jerseylicious at Meadowlands
May 16, 2014,From Meadowlands Media Relations
East Rutherford, NJ — Conditions were far from ideal on Friday (May 16) night at The Meadowlands with sporadic rain and the wind blowing a gale from the east, in their face the second quarter and at their back in the homestretch. The track condition was listed as sloppy.
Lisa photo
Trixton took a division of NJSS for 3-year-old colt trotters in 1:54.2 on Friday night at The Meadowlands.
The New Jersey Sires Stakes for 3-year-olds opened this weekend and the trotters went postward on Friday night. Trixton drew into the first of two $21,500 colt divisions where he was the heavy favorite off his electrifying 1:51.2 tour de force in last week’s Simpson Memorial.
Trainer–driver Jimmy Takter floated Trixton away from the gate and settled in second behind Dexter Cup winner Sumatra as they passed the quarter in 28.1. Takter suddenly found himself in an awkward spot when John Campbell brushed Lightning Force hard for the front with horses following him and cleared Sumatra at the 59.2 half.
It took a few strides for Takter to extricate Trixton from a pinned position and into the outer flow as Lightning Force skipped off by a couple but the Meadowlands stretch is a long one and Trixton collared the leader and drew away to a 4-3/4 length win. The mile was trotted in 1:54.2 with the final half in :55 and last quarter in :27 flat. Lightning Force held the place and King City was third.
The Muscle Hill-Emile Cas El colt is owned by Brixton Medical Ab and Christina Takter.
In the second division Well Built overcame the blustery conditions, stayed trotting and won in 1:56.2 for John Campbell. Settled in mid-pack for the first half, Campbell pulled the right line passing the half, cleared to the front and drew off with a 27.2 final panel despite drifting in mid-stretch.
Chris Ryder trains and shares ownership of the Muscle Hill x Working Girl with Bob Mondillo.
Earlier in the evening in a non-betting race the first of two $20,500 divisions of NJSS trotting fillies went behind the gate and My Inspiration took her maiden win here in 1:56.3 for Yannick Gingras. The Chocolatier filly from Dodger Blues is trained by Trond Smedshammer for Al Libfeld. Scream And Shout was second with Fastdownthehill third.
The second filly division went as race four as conditions steadily worsened. Moonlight In Miami took this one in 1:55.2 for John Campbell with a strong stretch rally. Yoga cut the mile and held well for second while Demoiselle Hanover was third.
The first two finishers both call the Takter barn home and the winner, a Muscle Hill from Bedtime Song is owned by the powerful triumvirate of Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld and Sam Goldband.
Top Class Filly and Mare pacers went to the post in the 11th race, a $30,000 Free For All Handicap. Shebestingin went to the post as the 2-5 overwhelming favorite and appeared poised for another victory after setting fractions of 28-, 55.1 and 1:22.2 at which point she turned for home in front, but she was collared late by the classy Jerseylicious, who rode the pocket every step of the way and tripped the timer in 1:50.1. Corey Callahan guided Jerseylicious to victory for trainer Wayne Givensand owners Legacy Racing of Delaware Inc., Pamela Curran and Niel Gargiulo. Rocklamation rallied from an impossible spot to be third.