River Shark, Vertigo Hanover favored in Berry's Creek elims

Eliminations for the $225,000 (est.) Berry’s Creek and a quartet of Classic Series divisions for older horses will highlight the weekend racing action at the Meadowlands.

The first major stakes test for 3-year-old pacers, the Berry’s Creek drew 16 colts split between two $25,000 eliminations Saturday night. The first five finishers in each elimination will advance to the Berry’s Creek Final, on May 9. Elimination winners may select their post positions for the final.

River Shark is rated the 2-1 morning line favorite in the first of the two Berry’s Creek Eliminations, which will go as race five, after sweeping the Robert J. Suslow Series. He will start from post four with Daniel Dube at the lines. After being asked twice early in the mile, River Shark motored to an impressive, 1:50.4 victory in the $67,000 Suslow Final on April 18. He has been first or second in six of seven starts this season. The son of Four Starzzz Shark--Riverview Diamond was a $9,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Selected Sale. Trainer Dave Sabatelli shares ownerships of the colt with Aaron Waxman and Carmine Fusco, who also recently sold an interest to VIP Internet Stable.

Vertigo Hanover, also owned by Waxman, is the 5-2 choice in the second Berry’s Creek Elimination, race six. The Canadian shipper, trained by Duane Marfisi, will start from post seven with John Campbell in the bike. A $65,000 yearling purchase, the son of The Panderosa-Varbo hit the board in five of seven starts as a 2 year old. He rallied from off the pace to win his sophomore debut last week, in 1:52.3.

The Friday and Saturday cards also feature the second round of The Classic Series for older horses. Trotters will take the stage Friday night in two $60,000 divisions of the Classic Oaks for mares and a single $85,000 division of the Trotting Classic for horses and geldings. Buck I St. Pat, the 2008 Trotting Mare of the Year, and Lantern Kronos, the returning 3-year-old filly champion, will square off in the first Oaks division, while the talent-heavy Trotting Classic will pit current standout Arch Madness against previous divisional champions Enough Talk and Corleone Kosmos.

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