Classic Series hits Big M

Vivid Photo won the first of four $85,000 Classic Series divisions Saturday at the Meadowlands, taking the lead just past the opening quarter and leading the rest of the one-mile distance to annex the older horse trotting division in 1:54.4.

Trainer-driver Roger Hammer got away second with Vivid Photo behind the Ron Pierce-driven Mr. Muscleman. Just past the first-quarter marker in :28.1, Hammer moved out and around to take the lead. From there the 2005 Hambletonian winner was able to trot a second stanza in :29.4 and then a third quarter in :29.3.

With the middle half of :59.2 under his belt, the 4-year-old gelding Vivid Photo had enough left to trot home in :27.1 to easily fend off Mr. Muscleman. Sand Vic, the 7-5 favorite in the race, closed from last in the five-horse field at the top of the stretch to finish third for Brian Sears.

Hammer shares ownership of Vivid Photo with Todd Schadel. The win was Vivid Photo's sixth of the year in 20 starts, increasing his career earnings to within $20,000 of the $2 million mark.

Peter Kleinhans supplemented Lavec Dream to the Classic Series and the 5-year-old mare rewarded his owner-trainer's faith with a 21-1 upset in 1:54.3 in the race for older trotting distaffers. After finishing fourth and seventh in the first two Classic Legs, Lavec Dream took advantage of a two-hole trip with driver George Brennan behind the tempo-setting Mystical Sunshine to score the victory.

Favored Peaceful Way made a break before the opening quarter, taking her out of contention. Pierce sent Mystical Sunshine to the lead with Lavec Dream second, and the two stayed that way until mid stretch. Brennan then tipped his charge out and around the leader and with a final quarter of :27 flat, go on to the easy victory. Solveig finished third.

The win was Lavec Dream's seventh of the year in 24 starts. She was a 48-1 upset winner in the $100,000 Miss Versatility Trot at the Delaware, Ohio fairgrounds in late September.

Marnie Hall fought off a late rally by Burning Point to win the $85,000 Classic leg for older mare pacers. Driven by Daniel Dube, Marnie Hall had finished fourth and fifth behind Glowing Report in the opening two legs of the series before turning the tables tonight with a 1:50.4 effort. Glowing Report closed late to finish third, breaking her six-race winning streak.

Trained by Mark Silva, Marnie hall won for the fifth time in 20 starts this year, increasing her career earnings to more than $700,000 for owner Daniel Plouffe, who owned her sire Blissfull Hall.

The $85,000 Classic leg for older horse pacers was delayed while Boulder Creek was in the paddock for shoe repair, and then the 6-year-old gelding rallied down the stretch to win the race in 1:49.4.

Driver Daniel Dube was locked in fifth along the pylons turning for home but he was able to work his way to the outside. Charging late, Boulder Creek was able to surge past Stonebridge Regal, who was also caught on the inside until finding room between horses in the final strides. Holborn Hanover survived a gritty first-over effort against the leading Make It Brief to still finish third.

Silva also trains Boulder Creek, who is owned by Cliff Siegel, Lee Wasserman and John Fodera. The win was his fifth of the year, increasing his career earnings to more than $2.55 million.

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