Filly glides to Oaks elim win

It was no surprise that 2-5 favorite Passionate Glide won the first of two $50,000 Hambletonian Oaks eliminations at the Meadowlands Saturday, but it was definitely a shocker when Emantee, with leading driver Brian Sears in the sulky, rewarded her backers with a $49 payoff in the second split.

Passionate Glide was tipped from fifth by driver Ron Pierce as a slow tempo in front by the two Trond Smedshammer trainees Northernpossession and Armbro Deja Vu led to a :28.3 quarter and :58.4 half. As Pierce moved his charge on the outside he was looped by Tresokay (Dewayne Minor), but was able to angle back to the inside turning for home. As Tresokay tired Passionate Glide breezed past, trotting to a 1:56.2 decision.

Celebrity Sweedie (Cat Manzi) was just a neck back in second, with Velma K (David Miller) third. Miss Wisconsin and Workout Doll finished fourth and fifth, respectively, to earn a spot in the $750,000 final Saturday, Aug. 5.

"Jimmy (trainer Jimmy Takter) told me to not win by more than a length," Pierce said in the winner's circle of the filly owned and bred by Brittany Farms.

Although Smedshammer failed to qualify either of his two first-elim fillies, he'll have Emantee behind the gate in the final as Sears directed that one to a 1:55.3 victory as the surprising odds of 23-1. Simple Task (Pierce) was second with Quick Credit (John Campbell) third. KD Girl and Mai Tai will also return for the final.

Barry Goldstein, Steve Shapiro and Mark Goldberg own the winner, who posted a career mark while winning for the second time in six starts this year.

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