Driver Dexter Dunn employed a methodical first-over grind for the six-year-old mare Manchego and survived late pressure from a game pacesetter and a surging closer to win the $141,250 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial in 1:51.1 on Saturday (May 15) at The Meadowlands.
In her first start of the season, Dunn floated the Nancy Takter trainee into fifth as Guardian Angel As gunned for the lead to a :26.3 opening quarter. Felicityshagwell S, also flaunting early foot but from an outside post, raced parked and pressed forward into the backstretch to take the lead. Manchego meanwhile crept forward on the rim, forcing the hand of Guardian Angel As to circle from the pocket and retake the lead by a :54.4 half.