The field for the $407,400 Mistletoe Shalee on Hambletonian Day was also decided by a pair of elimination races Friday night at the Meadowlands, and the winners were McArts N Crafts in a 30-1 upset, and the betting favorite Thong.
Thong continued her reign over the 3-year-old pacing fillies division with a powerful first-over performance in the second of the two $25,000 Mistletoe Shalee elims. Driven by Tim Tetrick, Thong coasted to her fourth straight win in 1:50.2, equaling her career best clocking set in the Tarport Hap last week. Kevin Lare trains the Western Hanover-Bikini Line filly. It was 1 ½-lengths to runner-up A and G’sconfusion. Good News Lady, Stylish Artist and Happy Dreamer also advanced to the Mistletoe Shalee Final. In a three-horse rush to the wire, McArts N Crafts got up by a neck to win the first Mistletoe Shalee elim over Desirable Candy and Tug River Princess in 1:50. Yannick Gingras guided McArts N Crafts to her fifth career victory. The daughter of McArdle-Jardin des Arts won the Sweetheart Pace at two for trainer-owner Haralabos Giannoulis.
Respective fourth and fifth-place finishers Miss Scarlett and Sunshine Seelster completed the Mistletoe Shalee field. (Meadowlands)
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