Chalk prevails in first round

Southwind Tempo had an easy time of it as the favorite in the first of two $12,500 opening-round divisions of the Tender Loving Care Series at the Meadowlands Wednesday night, while odds-on choice Princess Albatross was all out to capture the second split in a blanket finish.

Southwind Tempo remained undefeated in five career starts as Toby Lynch directed the 3-year-old daughter of Bettor's Delight to the lead at the opening quarter and led the rest of the route to score in 1:56.1. The 1-2 favorite defeated runner-up Art's Lady Diana and driver Daniel Dube by 3 1/4 lengths, with Witch Trials and Brian Sears third.

Lynch owns and previously conditioned Southwind Tempo, but sent recently the filly to Steve Elliott to train. She won all three of her starts late last year at Dover Downs and then after a two-month break returned to the races at the Big M where she paced to a career-best 1:54.2 win Jan. 31.

Princess Albatross was able to put her nose in front at the wire in 1:56.3 in the second Tender Loving Care split for driver Ron Pierce as the 1-2 favorite. Striptease Hall and driver Sears were second, with first-time starter Sweet Lips and Yannick Gingras a neck back in third. Fourth-place finisher Artistic Ideal and Andy Miller also finished a neck back in fourth in the tight finish.

A 3-year-old daughter of Matt's Scooter, Princess Albatross is owned by Between The Pipes Stable and trained by Scott Rollins. The win was her third in five starts. She finished second to Southwind Tempo in her last start Jan. 31.

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