Filly trotters aim for Moni Maker title at Red Mile

Ten 3-year-old filly trotters, including Possess The Magic, who received a bye, and elimination winner Gerri’s Joy, will go behind the gate Sunday night at The Red Mile in the $178,000 Moni Maker final.

Possess The Magic, who earned her pass into the rich final by virtue of her $308,973 in earnings this year, is coming off a third-place finish in the World Trotting Derby filly division. That effort also pushed her career earnings past the $1 million mark for owner Brittany Farms.

Possess The Magic, whose 1:54.2 win in a division of the International Stallion Stakes at The Red Mile last year still ranks as the fastest ever by a freshman distaff trotter, is also the reigning Breeders Crown champion. Trained by Ron Gurfein, the daughter of Self Possessed will be driven by Mike Lachance from post eight.

Gerri’s Joy, who had been winless in five starts this year coming into the Moni Maker elimination, ended that drought with a career-best 1:54 score for driver John Campbell. The daughter of Enjoy Lavec is trained by Noel Daley for owner Nicholas Cimino. The 2006 Merrie Annabelle winner will leave from post nine in the Moni Maker with Brian Sears named to drive.

One interesting aspect of the Moni Maker final is the decision by Trond Smedshammer to not enter Flight Surgeon, who finished eighth in the elim at odds of 145-1. By doing so, Smedshammer was able to get Falls For You, who made a late break in the elim while in contention as the strong second choice and finished 10^th—with only the top nine returning—back into the final. Smedshammer has also named Sears to drive Falls For You, who will leave from post six.

Also in the field is Hambletonian Oaks winner Danae, who was the beaten favorite in the elimination. The George Teague Jr. trainee was driven by Tim Tetrick to that sixth-place finish. Teague has also named Sears to drive the daughter of Andover Hall, who drew post seven.

Here is the complete field for the Moni Maker final, which is scheduled as the ninth race on the 15-race card. First post is 6:30 p.m.:

PP Horse (named driver)

1. Michelle’s Angel (Dave Palone)
2. Wishful Me (Dave Palone)
3. Right On Renee (Andy Miller)
4. Celebrity Feeling (Marcus Johansson)
5. Flash Lightning (Ron Pierce)
6. Falls For You (Brian Sears)
7. Danae (Brian Sears)
8. Possess The Magic (Mike Lachance)
9. Gerri’s Joy (Brian Sears)
10. Southwind Serena (Yannick Gingras)

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