Plan extra time due to soccer at MetLife 7/26 (games at 4pm & 7pm). Use Paterson Plank Road entrance and stay to right at toll plaza.

Breakfast and Babies Today at Big M – Friday, July 18, 2025

Friday, July 18, 2025


Breakfast With The Babies, sponsored by Fashion Farms, got underway at 9:00 on a pleasant summer morning at the Meadowlands. The temperature was 75f and the track fast with a considerable stretch headwind slowing the final quarters. Joe Romanelli was on hand to call the action.

 

Driver Andy McCarthy had a big day, winning three of the nine races for 2-year-olds including a couple for trainer Tony Alagna who had three on the day as well.

 

Colt trotters took the track first and a pair of Noel Daley trainees traded blows the length of the stretch. After Captainofillusion (Andy McCarthy) had set all the fractions, Niko Karna drew alongside with eventual winner Yukon Deo, edging by right at the light in 2:00.2 with a :29.3 final stanza. The Chapter Seven colt was bred by Deo Volente, sold to Reve Amec Moi Dreamwithme, and Follow Me Stable for $170,000 (LEX).

 

The potent combination of trainer Marcus Melander and driver Dexter Dunn connected with Creator for a 2:00 win, converting a strong stretch close for her first in three tries over Julies Trix. The Walner filly is a Diamond Creek and Order By Stable homebred, racing under an eponymous stable name.

 

Rani Hanover, the first foal of 2000 Hambo winner Ramona Hill, flashed a little of her mom’s brilliance this morning when after two educational “sit and brush” trips, she was sent out to the front by Jason Bartlett and stormed home in :28.3 against the wind for a 1:56.4 win over a willing Ygritte. Ken Jacobs gave $925,000 (LEX) to get the Walner filly from Hanover Shoe Farms and Crawford Farms Racing. Tony Alagna, who conditioned Ramona, is training Rani Hanover for Mr. Jacobs.

 

Scott Zeron drove Inexpressable to a 1:58.3 win for Lucas Wallin in the colt’s second appearance. Sitting mid-pack throughout, Zeron moved the son of Walner wide for the drive and he willingly tracked down Nicholson in the shadow of the wire. Bred by Menhammar Stud and SRF Stable, Inexpressable was a $325,000 (LEX) purchase by the trainer with Karin Walter-Mommert and Eichstadt/Oberkramer of Germany.

 

When pacing fillies squared off in race 8 it was Caviart vs Caviart with Caviart Madrid getting the nod over a stubborn Caviart Amore Mio who had cut the mile, in 1:56. Nancy Takter trains and Yannick Gingras drove the Always B Miki filly, bred by Sergent Stable and sold to Caviart Farms for $40,000 (LEX) last fall.

 

On Heir (Andy McCarthy) set all the fractions then moved away from her competition powerfully through a :27 flat end to a 1:55.2 mile in an eye catching romp over Car Keys. A $170,000 (HBG) purchase by Patricia Stable, Sipple, Zelin and Gandolfo Stable, the Captaintreacherous filly was bred by Barbara Matthews and is trained in the Noel Daley barn.

 

Andy came right back with another Captain, this time the sharp looking colt Reckoning, who fanned wide from third for the drive and just got up to nip Silent Investor in 1:56.4 in his first endeavor. A $95,000 (LEX) Hanover bred, Reckoning is now owned by Rob Leblanc, Pryde Stables, Joe Sbrocco, John Fodera as JAF Racing and Steve Head. He is trained in the Tony Alagna stable.

 

Continuing his run McCarthy made it a natural hat trick, scoring with the impressive Bettor’s Wish colt Watchfire in 1:53.1 for Alagna. Sent right to the lead, Watchfire went along at an honest clip then streaked home in 27 seconds to hold stablemate Drink To That at bay. A $67,000 (LEX) buy for Brittany Farms, Alagna and Micki Rae Stables, Watchfire is a Brittany bred.

Takter, Gingras and Caviart Farms closed out the day with their second connection, this time with Caviart Anders, a homebred Sweet Lou colt, who posted all the fractions and zipped home in :27.3 to hold Treacherous off in 1:53.3.

 

Tonight is the second of three legs of the NJSS for 2yo. You can always download a free program for Meadowlands races.