Speedy Miles in First Preliminary of Presidential

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ— Two divisions of Free-For-All pacing action kicked off the first leg of the Presidential series at the Meadowlands on Saturday, January 12. The January classic drew 13 pacers to the two $40,000 divisions.

Golden Receiver continues his bid for a Presidential repeat, taking the opening division gate to wire in 1:49, Fred And Ginger was second, Modern Legend was third and Malak Uswaad N was fourth.

Golden Receiver took the lead, with Modern Legend in the pocket second and Meirs Hanover settling into third. Golden Receiver led the field by the quarter in :26.3. No one challenged the leader, letting him squeeze in a breather of :55.2 (:28.4) at the half-mile.

Meirs Hanover lunged into attack mode, swinging first over into the far turn. Fred And Ginger tracked his cover and Modern Legend was locked in the box. Golden Receiver began to pick up the pace at three-quarters in 1:23 (:27.3).

Golden Receiver winning his Presidential split in 1:49

Meirs Hanover began to quit heading down the stretch. Fred And Ginger fanned off cover and Modern Legend was stalling in third. Golden Receiver held all competition at bay, winning the first leg of the Presidential in 1:49 (:26). Fred And Ginger rallied for second, Modern Legend held on for third and Malak Uswaad N inherited the fourth spot. Abelard Hanover scratched out of the mile sick.

Golden Receiver ($2.20) is an eight-year-old gelding by Village Jove, out of the mare Royal Gold by Towner’s Big Guy. He is owned by Our Horse Cents Stables, trained by Mark Harder and Tim Tetrick was in the bike, steering the ‘Golden Boy’ to a 1:49 performance.

Versado pulled off the upset in the second division of the Presidential, winning his division in 1:49.4. Dial Or Nodial finished second, Mr Hasani N was third and Rockin The House was fourth.

Versado took the front from Rockin The House into the first turn. Nob Hill High got away third and Second Wind N got away fourth. Versado took them by the quarter in :26.2. Dial Or Nodial came first over from sixth passing the three-eighths. Mr Hasani N tracked his cover as they brushed by competition. Dial Or Nodial was first over in third at the half in :54.3 (:28.1).

Versado nipping favorite Dial Or Nodial at the wire in 1:49.4

Into the far turn, Dial Or Nodial inched up to Versado’s wheel, carrying Mr Hasani N and Annieswesterncard closer. Versado led at three-quarters in 1:22.3 (:28). Mr Hasani N fanned off cover and began to flatten out. Rockin The House was trying to pace up the inside and Dial Or Nodial was still chasing Versado. Versado and Dial Or Nodial were stride for stride entering the sixteenth pole and Versado nipped the favorite at the line in 1:49.4 (:27.1). Dial Or Nodial was second, Mr Hasani N was third and Rockin The House finished fourth.

Versado ($18.40) is a six-year-old gelding by Dragon Again, out of the mare Beach Jenny by Beach Towel. He is owned by Kdm Stables, trained by Nick Surick and Andy Miller was in the bike to score in 1:49.4.