Sick for Hambo, Anderberg takes Arden

Anderberg, whose Hambletonian hopes were dashed by a bout of sickness, rebounded nicely on Friday night (August 10) at The Meadows, capturing a division of the $61,608 Arden Downs stake for 3-year-old colt trotters. Flying Scotsman took the other division of the stake, known as the James Manderino.

Grand Circuit action at The Meadows also featured three divisions of the $83,106 Arden Downs stake, known as the Ned McCarr, for 3-year-old filly trotters. The winners were Upmarket Hanover, Up Front Laura and Winner Frost. George Brennan and Mike Wilder recorded driving doubles over the two stakes.

Grand Circuit action at The Meadows continues through Saturday, which features a doubleheader card highlighted by the $420,125 Coors Delvin Miller Adios for 3-year-old colt pacers.

$61,608 James Manderino

For a time it seemed that if it weren't for bad luck, Anderberg would have no luck at all. After his Hambletonian disappointment, his next scheduled start was wiped out by lightning at The Meadowlands. In the Manderino, he took charge of his own fate with a crisp first-over move that carried him to a 1-3/4 length victory over Tis Himself in 1:56.4. Grant was third.“It was a pretty good effort being off as long as he has been,” Brennan said. “I really didn't know what to expect. I just let the race come to him, and he stepped up. It was a good confidence booster for him.”

Buzzy Sholty trains the son of Andover Hall for John C. Green and Pinnacle Racing Stable.

Flying Scotsman returned to Pennsylvania from three unsuccessful Meadowlands outings a little more fired up than his connections wanted.

“They said he got a little warm,” winning driver Doug Snyder said. “They told me to keep an eye on him tonight, but he was really relaxed in the post parade. I walked him on the outside in the post parade until about a minute to go, then let him jog off a little bit. With the fractions, I was able to control him.”

After surviving a first quarter duel, the gelded son of Lindy Lane fashioned an easy 2-3/4 length victory in 1:57.2 over Yankee Coburn, with Windsun Lane in third. Jim Arledge, Jr. trains Flying Scotsman and owns him with William Donovan and Jim Winske.

$83,106 Ned McCarr

Trainer Doug Miller acquired Upmarket Hanover for William Weaver III after the daughter of S J's Photo banked more than $104,000 at 2. But her sophomore campaign has been troubled and the McCarr was only her third start of the year.“We had to scratch her from a stake here when she came up lame,” Miller said. “When we got her fixed up and raced her one time, she got sick, really sick. We had to send her to a clinic. If you knew how little work she's had in the last six or seven weeks, you'd be shocked that she's able to do what she did tonight.”

As is her custom, she rallied from well off the trot for Wilder to score in a career best 1:56.4, 2-1/4 lengths better than Shesfastandfurious, with Pembroke Spice taking third. Upmarket Hanover is ticketed for the American-National.

Winner Frost rebounded from problems responsible for breaks in two consecutive races. The daughter of American Winner prevailed with Wilder in 1:58, with Sand Lavender-Blue 2-3/4 lengths back in second and Undercover Lover finishing third.

“She has problems in the right hind and some problems with the turns here,” said John Sokol, who trains Winner Frost for Bob Key. “It's scary how much talent she has. I'm looking forward to getting her on a bigger track to see how fast she can be.”

Up Front Laura was 1-10 for her career entering the McCarr, but that lone victory came at The Meadows. She showed her fondness for the track again when Brennan sent her on an uncovered move that propelled her to a one length victory in 1:58. Early leader Sudden Susan and Beryl's Flight rounded out the ticket.

Trond Smedshammer trains the daughter of Andover Hall for C. Ed Mullinax and James W. Simpson. (The Meadows)

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