by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager
Ken Weingartner
Hightstown, NJ — Dan Patch Award-winning Youaremycandygirl, who in the current issue of Hoof Beats magazine is predicted to be this year’s top earning 3-year-old pacer, visits the Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday (April 28) for her first qualifier of the season. The Ron Burke-trained filly is part of an all-star group appearing at the New Jersey oval Saturday morning.
Youaremycandygirl was voted the sport’s best 2-year-old female pacer in 2017 after winning nine of 11 races and earning $895,615, which led all 2-year-old pacers. She became the fastest 2-year-old female pacer in history thanks to her 1:50 victory in a division of the International Stallion Stakes at Lexington’s Red Mile, a time that tied colt Hayden Hanover for the best of any 2-year-old pacer last season.
USTA/Ken Weingartner photo
Youaremycandygirl was voted the sport’s best 2-year-old female pacer in 2017 after winning nine of 11 races and earning $895,615, which led all 2-year-old pacers.
“She had a great year,” owner Bill Donovan said. “When I think of all the great fillies over the years, for her to come out of the year with the world record and the earnings that she had, you realize just how blessed you are.”
Youaremycandygirl is the Hoof Beats cover girl for May and the magazine includes a feature on the filly, as well as features on 3-year-old pacers Lost In Time, who received the 2017 Dan Patch Award for best 2-year-old male pacer, and Stay Hungry. Those two colts will join Youaremycandygirl in making their qualifying debuts on Saturday at the Meadowlands. Qualifiers begin at 10 a.m. (EDT).
Other returning Dan Patch Award winners making their first trips of the year to qualifiers are 5-year-old female pacer Pure Country and 4-year-old female trotter Ariana G.
Female trotters coming back for second qualifiers include defending Horse of the Year Hannelore Hanover, Dan Patch Award-winner Broadway Donna and O’Brien Award-winner Caprice Hill.
Among the 3-year-old female pacers that will appear with Youaremycandygirl on Saturday are stakes-winners Kissin In The Sand, Rainbow Room and Band Stand.
Hayden Hanover is among the 3-year-old male pacers qualifying with Lost In Time and Stay Hungry.
To learn more about Hoof Beats magazine, including subscription information and digital editions, click here.
For program pages for Saturday’s qualifiers at the Meadowlands, click here.
- Top performers qualify at Meadowlands (Saturday, April 28, 2018)
The Saturday (April 28) qualifying races at The Meadowlands got underway at 10 a.m. under overcast skies with the sun threatening to peek through. Champions Hannelore Hanover and Ariana G where the stars of the show.