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The third leg of the Graduate Series for trotters pitted a rematch of JL Cruze vs. Father Patrick, this time for $100,000....read on
4 åriga 1.609 m auto Purse: $100 000 (50,000 - 25,000 - 12,000 - 8,000 - 5,000)
RACE 7 - Meadowlands - NJ - June 19, 2022
Conditions: GRADUATE 4 Year Old Open 3rd Leg
Gait: Trot Purse: $100,000 Class: Graduate Distance: 1 Mile Track Cond: FAST
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1st Jl Cruze (4, G Crazed - Topcat Hall - Conway Hall)
Registered Owner(s)/Lessee(s): Wm Wood - MD, William Dittmar Jr - PA, Stephen Iaquinta - PA
Breeder(s): Joanne Morrison - ON, Glengate Farms - ON
2nd Father Patrick (4, H Cantab Hall - Gala Dream - Enjoy Lavec)
Registered Owner(s): Father Patrick Stable - NJ
Breeder(s): Brittany Farms - KY
3rd Resolve (4, H Muscle Hill - Anikawiesahalee - Credit Winner)
Registered Owner(s): Hans Enggren - PA
Breeder(s): Michael Pozefsky - NY, Edward Wilson - ON | Lisa photo |
| JL Cruze and John Campbell sprinted to the wire. |
The third leg of the Graduate Series for trotters pitted a rematch of JL Cruze vs. Father Patrick, this time for $100,000.
Fresh off the upset two weeks ago that sent shockwaves throughout the sport, JL Cruze was given more respect at the windows Friday night, sent off as the 9-5 second choice. Father Patrick was given the nod as the favourite, despite the narrow loss last-out and post 10 tonight, released as the 1-2 choice.
JL Cruze floated off the gate, while Father Patrick did the same, watching many trotters vying for early position to his inside. Around the first turn, JL Cruze sat mid-pack in fifth, with Father Patrick right behind him. The early lead belonged to Gural Hanover, who reached the quarter in :26.4. As the field straightened up on the backstretch, JL Cruze launched his bid for the lead, with Father Patrick hot on his heels and the pair ranged up into contention as JL Cruze cleared the lead going to the half-mile in a sharp :54.1.
Father Patrick was left uncovered briefly, but he asserted himself rather quickly and made the lead as the field moved into the far turn. His pilot, Yannick Gingras, let 'Patrick' roll to three-quarters in 1:22.3, while Sumatra was challenging first over. JL Cruze was locked in the pocket for much of the stretch as Father Patrick reached for the line. But inside the final eighth of a mile, the pylons opened up for JL Cruze and John Campbell guided his trotter through the narrow opening where he sprinted to the wire to defeat Father Patrick in a lifetime-best 1:50.4. That clocking also equalled the fastest trotting mile of the season thus far. Resolve rallied to be third from well back.
Owned by W. Kenneth Wood, William J. Dittmar Jr. and Stephen J. Iaquinta, JL Cruze cost just $32,000 at the Harrisburg Mixed Sale in November and has now earned $233,638 this season. Driver John Campbell spoke to how the horse has developed.
“Back in February, we knew he was good, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted this," he said. "But he kept getting stronger as time went on and I knew he could trot with these, but I wasn’t sure he could win. But he just keeps getting better.”
Amazingly, trainer Eric Ell reported that JL Cruze kicked his stall the morning of the second round of the Graduate and he considered scratching the horse. Not only did he race, but he defeated Father Patrick, a feat he accomplished again tonight.
The $250,000 Graduate Trot Final will be contested on Meadowlands Pace elimination night, Saturday, July 11.
The $26,000 Open Trot was won in wire-to-wire fashion by DWs NY Yank, who led at every pole to score in 1:52.1. Obrigado was locked in the pocket throughout the mile and appeared to have a ton of trot while finishing second. Trainer Ron Burke sent out the winner, who was driven by Yannick Gingras.
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