The Vinny Fusco Jr. Memorial Pacing Series for New Jersey-owned, sired or foaled fillies and mares wraps up at Freehold Raceway on Friday (Jan. 22) with a pair of finals.
The $10,000 final for the first division is for horses with TrackMaster Horse Ratings between 68.00 and 71.50. The winners of the first two legs, Duck N Roll and Southwind Tsunami, drew post positions seven and eight, respectively.
Southwind Tsunami, who races for trainer Mark Capone, upset at 10-1 in the first leg and finished fifth in leg two last week as the favourite. She will have a new driver Friday afternoon: Jim Marohn Jr. After a fourth-place finish in leg one, Duck N Roll won the second leg last week with a strong rally from the back of the pack. She is trained by Izzy Estrada, and will be driven by Luke Hanners.
Meladys Monet began his 12-year-old season on a winning note, taking the Preferred Handicap trot at Freehold Raceway on Friday (Jan. 15).
Making his first start since December 11, he was sent off as the 3-1 second choice in the field of eight. In the early stages, he grabbed cover from favoured The Veteran, who left to his direct inside. As soon as The Veteran cleared to the front, just before the opening quarter, Eric Abbatiello took the lead with Meladys Monet.
As they rounded the final turn, Meladys Monet continued to hold sway, but The Veteran loomed menacingly from the pocket. Entering the stretch, Dan Dube ripped The Veteran off the pylons and took his crack at the leader. However, he couldn t get by Meladys Monet, who reported home a half-length in front. The final time was 1:57.3.
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