In the $18,000 Preferred Handicap Trot on Tuesday night at The Meadows, Tamarind sprang an 11-1 upset when he blew past odds-on favourite Hava Kadabra and scored in 1:56.1. TSM Photo Bugger was second by a length with Austins Jon Jon third. Aaron Merriman drove the five-year-old son of Angus Hall-Spicegirl Kosmos, who now boasts $419,558 in lifetime earnings, for trainer Marcus Marashian and owner Bill Bercury.
Fourth in the first two series legs, Manhattan Tea found his best stride Tuesday at The Meadows with a powerful first-over move that carried him to victory in the Walter Russell Memorial Pace.
The third leg of the series for three- and four-year old colts, horses and geldings was conducted over three $11,250 divisions, with Elusive Rainbow and Cruisingtothemusic taking the other splits. The $20,000-added final is set for Tuesday, March 26.
Manhattan Tea was fourth down the backside when trainer/driver Brad Provost sent him after the leader. The homebred four-year-old Metropolitan-Sippin Tea gelding wore down Beamer Blue Chip and defeated the closing Dew N Doughnuts by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:54.4, a career best. Beamer Blue Chip saved show.
Brad Provost and a strong contingent of Provost family members — Margaret, Patricia and William — own Manhattan Tea.
Tony Hall drove three winners on the 15-race card.
(with files from The Meadows)