Cutler elims contested

Trotting a last half somewhere in the vicinity of :55 flat, Vivid Photo rallied from the back of the seven-horse field in the second of two $40,000 eliminations of the Arthur Cutler Memorial Friday night at the Meadowlands to edge pacesetter Hellava Hush by a nose in 1:52.3. The first elim went to Hez Striking, who held off the late rally of favored Sand Vic to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.3.

Trainer-driver and co-owner Roger Hammer sat patiently in last with the 2005 Hambletonian-winning Vivid Photo as fractions of :27.4. :55.4 and 1:24.3 flashed on the respective timers. Hammer swung his charge wide around the competition in the final turn and although it appeared midway through the stretch the bid might fall short, Vivid Photo dug in in the final strides and caught the 2005 Nat Ray-winning Hellava Hush (Cat Manzi) at the wire. The mare Mystical Sunshine took third while War Paint and Elegant Man also earned a return ticket to next weekend's $225,000 Cutler final.

Vivid Photo is now a perfect two-for-two in his 4-year-old season. In his 2006 debut last week in an overnight contest at the Big M, the gelded son of SJ's Photo also edged Hellava Hush by a slim nose. Hammer shares ownership with Todd Schadel.

Ron Pierce made a quarter-pole move with Hez Striking and the 7-year-old gelding kept his position in front throughout the rest of the mile to win the first elim. Sand Vic and driver Brian Sears charged from last at the top of the stretch but the bid fell a half-length short. Great George Two was third followed by Self Professed and Musclesextrodinair to also earn a spot in the final.

Richard "Nifty" Norman trains the winning Hez Striking for owners Bart Glass and Robert Kauffman. The win was the son of Striking Sahbra's 26th of his career.

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