by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Columbus, OH — 2008 Breeders Crown freshman pacing colt champion Well Said scorched The Meadowlands oval on Thursday (May 21) with a 1:50.3 qualifying victory.

With Ron Pierce in the bike for trainer Steve Elliott, the Western Hanover-Must See colt paced his final quarter in :26.3 on the way to a 5-3/4 length triumph over Bunkmeister (Brian Sears). It was the third qualifying effort of the season for Well Said, who won his initial effort in 1:54 on May 7 before finishing second to Dial Or Nodial on May 14.

Well Said, owned by Jeffrey Snyder and Lothlorien, banked $586,688 as a freshman. In addition to the Breeders Crown, the colt won a division of the Champlain Stakes and was second in a division of the Nassagaweya, both at Mohawk Racetrack.

In other Meadowlands action on Thursday, 2008 Dan Patch Award winner Muscle Hill won his second straight qualifier, scoring in 1:54.3 with Brian Sears in the bike for trainer Greg Peck. The Muscles Yankee-Yankee Blondie lad brushed to the front by the :57.1 half and trotted to a :57.2 backside to win by seven open lengths over 2008 Matron runner-up Select Yankee (David Miller). Muscle Hill is campaigned by Jerry Silva, TLP Stable, Southwind Farm and Muscle Hill Racing LLC.

Last year’s Wellwood Memorial champion Tom Cango was a wire-to-wire, 1:55 winner for driver David Miller and trainer Jim Campbell in another qualifying test. The Tom Ridge-B Cor Tamgo sophomore won his previous qualifying effort two weeks ago in 1:56.2. Arlene and Jules Siegel own the bay colt.