Caviar On The Menu tipped out three wide on the turn for home and took the lead with an eighth of a mile to go to capture the first of five $12,500 divisions of the opening round of the Super Bowl Series on Wednesday night at the Meadowlands, with speed honors going to upstart Anotherbogey B.
Caviar On The Menu, driven by George Brennan and trained by Thomas O. Lail, trotted the mile in a lifetime best of 1:57.2. The 4-year-old son of SJ's Caviar, owned by Thomas Lail of Mickleton, N.J., posted his third win with four seconds and one third from 10 career starts.
Anotherbogey B sprung a 20-1 surprise in the second division as Jonathan Roberts directed the 4-year-old gelded son of Presto Hanover to a career-best 1:56.4 victory. Belinda Blanton trains the winner for owner Laverne Blanton.
Next Superstar rallied to a 1:58 win in the third Super Bowl split for driver Brian Sears. The 4-year-old son of Yankee Glide is trained by Mickey Burke for owners Sylvia Burke, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and M1 Stable.
Soapy Sap rallied from even further back than Next Superstar when driver Yannick Gingras urged his charge from ninth at the half to a late-closing 1:57.4 victory. Don Manorano trains the 4-year-old daughter of Yankee Glide he co-owns with Feore Orecchio.
The last of the five Super Bowl splits went to Fielders Choice. Ron Pierce was in the bike as the 4-year-old son of Garland Lobell crossed the wire in front in 1:59.2. Kevin Thomas trains and shares ownership with River Ridge Farm.
The three-week Super Bowl for lightly raced trotters continues next Wednesday with a $70,000 estimated final on Jan. 24.
Also at the Meadowlands Wednesday, favorite Yankee Stardom broke stride in the second race, tripped in his hobbles and slid to a stop in the stretch. Driver Brennan was able to stay in the sulky seat and was not hurt. The 3-year-old son of Real Desire, making his fourth career start, suffered knee lacerations, was treated for his bruises and will be checked out further. (with files from Meadowlands)