EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – After going off stride just after the half a week ago as the 4-5 harness racing favorite on the way to a ninth-place finish, Southwind Chrome rebounded in a big way Friday night, taking the featured $30,000 Preferred for trotters at the Meadowlands.
Sent off this time as the 5-2 second choice in the wagering, Southwind Chrome raced with cover past the quarter behind 9-5 public choice Muscle M Up and ending up clearing the top before the half, which was timed in a quick :54.4 with strong winds at their backs.
Midway around the far turn, Ake Svanstedt directed Muscle M Up to vacate the pocket and the duo then dueled all the way to the wire from there. Muscle M Up was determined, but Southwind Chrome was just a bit better, hanging on to win by a neck in 1:51.4 after a contentious stretch battle. JL Cruze finished third.
"He was super," said winning driver Tim Tetrick of Southwind Chrome. "We went a very fast middle half with a nice horse following us. My horse showed a lot of toughness to hold off Muscle M Up. My horse went a big mile. I'm very happy with his effort."
Southwind Chrome, a 4-year-old son of Chapter Seven-Counter Pointe who is trained by Jeff Cullipher and owned by Pollack Racing and Cullipher, returned $7.20 to his backers. He's won 10 of his 30 lifetime starts and earned $181,085.
A LITTLE MORE: Leading driver Dexter Dunn, fresh off a month of November that saw him win 23 Big M races, had three winners on the card. … Dunn and trainer Harry Landy teamed up to take the 11th and 12th races. … One shrewd handicapper betting into the Oregon hub was the only player to last six legs in the 20-cent Survivor Pick-10 and cashed in for $7,480. … All-source handle totaled $2,252,358 on the 13-race program. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations