Hez Striking wins Open Trot

Hez Striking captured the $35,000 Open Trot at the Meadowlands Friday night, going gate to wire in 1:53.2. Lhasa Muscles, the Father Foley final winner, was second by 2 3/4 lengths, and it was 3 3/4 lengths to Self Professed, the Su Mac Lad winner, in third.

Hez Striking, driven by Brian Sears and trained by Richard “Nifty” Norman posted his fifth win in 10 starts this year. The 7-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding has banked nearly $800,000 lifetime.

J. Bart Glass of Stanford, Kentucky, and Robert Kauffman of New Albany, Ohio, are the owners of Hez Striking, who has the $240,000 estimated Titan Cup on his dance card. Eliminations for the July 1 final are on June 23.

“There were only really two horses – Lhasa Muscles and my horse,” said Sears, subbing for Ron Pierce, who had a driving commitment in Canada. “I was able to save him until the last quarter. The other horse wasn’t keeping on my back. It was tight on the last turn so I skipped away a little bit and felt confident from there.”

“It worked out pretty well,” said Norman. “He got an early lead. He’s going to have a couple of weeks off and then get ready for the Titan Cup.” (The Meadowlands)

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