TSM Photo Bugger wins Meadows series opener

TSM Photo Bugger had to work for the lead, but he dominated once he got there, drawing off to victory in Monday’s opening leg of the Michaelrowyourboat, a series for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, at The Meadows. Talladega Hanover captured the other $15,000 opening-leg division.

TSM Photo Bugger moved to the leader, Photo Sport, past the quarter but encountered stiff resistance and needed a quarter mile to clear. But he persevered for Dick Stillings, defeating Party Allstar by 5 lengths in 1:58.1, a career best. Mr Moonlight was third.
 
Jan Fread trains TSM Photo Bugger, a gelded son of SJ’s Photo-Rewarding Wink, for Ted Tomson.
 
A nine-race maiden entering the series, Talladega Hanover enjoyed a kinder trip, saving ground for Dave Palone before brushing home in 29 to triumph in 2:00.2. Broadway Chip was 2-1/4 lengths back in second, with North Broadway third.
 
Dan Walski trains the Cantab Hall-Tags Sweetie gelding for Howard Millhime. The series was named for Michaelrowyourboat, whose 2009 mile of 1:52.3 remains the fastest ever trotted at The Meadows.
 
In the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace, Francie’s Dream converted a second-over trip to victory for Eric Ledford in 1:52.4, knocking two ticks from her lifetime mark. Spring Break extended her string of place finishes to three while Autumn Magic was third. Ron Otto trains Francie’s Dream, a 6-year-old daughter of Dream Work-Design Two Scoot, for Shirley Otto.

Palone drove six winners on the 14-race card while Ron Burke fashioned a training triple.(The Meadows)