Honorable Daughter, Donttellmywife strong in sophomore debuts

The 3-year-old filly trotter Honorable Daughter, the reigning divisional champion, made her 2009 debut as part of a star-laden qualifying card Thursday morning at the Meadowlands, and the daughter of Malabar Man came up a winner in 1:58.2.

A nine-time winner as a freshman, Honorable Daughter’s victories included the Merrie Annabelle, the Matron and the Breeders Crown. Regular driver John Campbell was in the sulky behind Honorable Daughter in Thursday’s qualifier. OK To Play, who finished third in last year’s Matron final behind Honorable Daughter, finished second.

New York Sire Stakes champion trotter Donttellmywife made his first start as a 3 year old Thursday morning and the gelded son of Malabar Man parlayed a two-hole trip for driver Jeff Gregory into a 1:57 victory. Undefeated in seven career starts last year as a freshman for trainer George Ducharme, Donttellmywife eclipsed his career mark by 1 2/5 seconds in the qualifier.

Gabbys Dream, who completed her rookie campaign with a New Jersey Sire Stakes final victory at Freehold last September, is now two-for-two in qualifiers in 2009 after trotting to a 1:57.3 victory. Now trained by Julie Miller and driven by Andy Miller, Gabbys Dream sat the two hole behind 2008 Breeders Crown elim winner All Star Hanover until moving past in deep stretch to win by a neck.

Matchplay Volo, the first foal of two-time Dan Patch champion trotter Stroke Play, won her qualifier in 1:59 with Tim Tetrick driving. Although the 3-year-old daughter of Conway Hall made several qualifying attempts last year as a freshman she never made a pari-mutuel start for trainer Larry Remmen. She finished fourth in her first sophomore qualifying attempt April 23 at the Meadowlands with her second attempt on Thursday coming up victorious.

Lou Babic Memorial winner Dawn’s Legacy bested a strong field in her qualifying race with a 1:53.4 effort for driver George Brennan and trainer Anthony Mannino. Ontario Sire Stakes performer Not Enough was second with New Jersey Sire Stakes champion and Breeders Crown runner-up Twist N Clout third. Stakes-placed Up Front Noel finished third with International Stallion Stake division winner and Matron runner-up Indulge Me fifth.

Three Diamonds and Matron winner Hawaiian Drink made her first appearance as a sophomore but the 3-year-old daughter of I Am A Fool would only manage a fourth-place finish behind Electric Fool, who scored in 1:57. Now racing in trainer Joe Anderson’s barn, Hawaiian Drink was driven by Ryan Anderson.

Bluegrass and Kindergarten winner Schoolkids, coming off a qualifying win at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs April 23 in 1:57.3, won his Meadowlands qualifier Thursday with a 1:54.1 effort for driver Tetrick and trainer Joe Anderson. Nassagaweya winner Straight Shooting finished second.

Matron winner If I Can Dream finished second in his qualifier behind Lisdean, who won in 1:53.4. If I Can Dream, a sophomore son of Western Hanover, is also now in Anderson’s barn.

Kentucky Sire Stakes champion Shanghai Lil, making her third qualifying appearance, posted a 1:54.3 victory. The Pete Foley-trained daughter of Jenna’s Beach Boy, who had a first and second in her two previous qualifiers this year at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, was driven by Mike Lachance.

Also qualifying Thursday morning was Aquarius and Four Leaf Clover winner Southwestern Dream. The 4-year-old gelded of son of Cambest had not started since capturing the $132,000 Four Leaf Clover final March 21 at the Big M. Campbell drove for trainer Bruce Saunders as Southwestern Dream romped to a 13-length victory in 1:52.3.

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