Harness Takes Center Stage Following Preakness
Two of the best trotters in the world plus a $600,000 must-win carryover await bettors at two of the premiere harness tracks racing on Saturday night with the Cutler Memorial at The Meadowlands and a mandatory payout Jackpot High 5 at Woodbine, respectively.
At Meadowlands, harness fans could witness the first sub-1:50 trotting race on a mile track Saturday (May 17) at the Meadowlands, but if not then, it is probably just a matter of time.
Saturday’s $175,000 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial for older trotters features a speedy group of 10 horses, including newly minted world champion Sebastian K. The former Swedish star won his Cutler elimination last week, which was his North American debut, in a world-record-equaling 1:50.1.
But the field also includes two-time Dan Patch Award-winner Market Share, who captured his Cutler elimination in 1:50.3, and Arch Madness, who holds the world record of 1:50.2 for an older gelding trotter on a mile oval.
All totaled, the Cutler Memorial features six trotters to win in 1:51 or less at some point in their careers. Sevruga has a lifetime-best mark of 1:50.3, which he accomplished on a five-eighths-mile track while setting a world record. Intimidate and Modern Family each has a career-best time of 1:51.
Following is the field in post order for the Cutler Memorial with drivers, trainers and morning line: 1. Sebastian K, Ake Svanstedt, Ake Svanstedt, 9-5; 2. Market Share, Tim Tetrick, Linda Toscano, 8-5; 3. Sevruga, Ron Pierce, Julie Miller, 8-1; 4. Archangel, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke, 15-1; 5. Intimidate, Vincent Ginsburg, Luc Blais, 10-1; 6. Undercover Strike, Corey Callahan, Jonas Czernyson, 30-1; 7. Arch Madness, George Brennan, Trond Smedshammer, 8-1; 8. Possessed Fashion, John Campbell, Tom Fanning, 50-1; 9. Modern Family, David Miller, Daryl Bier, 6-1; 10. DW’s NY Yank, Mike Lachance, Ron Burke, 30-1.
Over at Woodbine, Saturday evening's Standardbred card is expected to feature a $600,000 plus Jackpot Hi-5 carryover on the last race of the card.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEADOWLANDS LATE PICK 4 FEATURING THE ARTHUR J.CUTLER MEMORIAL PAST PERFORMANCES (courtesy of trackmaster)