Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Pierce Steers Elim Winners

May 23, 2008

Ron Pierce certainly had a way with the ladies on Friday night at the Meadowlands. The 3-year-old pacing fillies, that is. The Hall of Famer swept both $20,000 eliminations for the $200,000 Thomas D'Altrui Miss New Jersey, winning with Ideal Newton and Erma La Em. The top five in each elimination advanced to the May 31 final.

In the first elim, Pierce tucked Ideal Newton behind Cartniverous as she led the field in a single-file stroll through fractions of 27.2 and 57.1. Knock Three Times, the 3-5 favorite, brushed to the top past the half and led the field into the stretch. Pierce tipped Ideal Newton to the outside and she nipped Knock Three Times by a neck at the wire in 1:51.3. Sent off 7-1, she paid $16.60, $4.80 and $4.40. Cartniverous held on for third. Cheyenne Trish and Valmictorian also advanced to the Miss New Jersey final.

"She was kind of slow [coming along]," Pierce said. "Noel [trainer Noel Daley] just took his time with her. He knew she was a nice filly so he just eased her up at two and brought her back this year. He was kind of aiming for this race. She was much calmer tonight than she was last week. We weren't going any [fractions] and I was kind of tempted to tip her out and go on, but I decided to sit there and she had plenty of pace in the lane. She paced real strong the last half and a real big last quarter, so I was very happy with her."

Ideal Newton recorded her fourth win in 10 career starts. Noel Daley trains the daughter of Western Ideal for owner/breeder Adam Victor & Son Stable of New York, NY.

Pierce was back in the winner's circle with Erma La Em in the second elimination. Erma La Em followed Good News Lady as she circled up to take the lead from Best Place past the half. Good News Lady began to edge away at the head of the stretch, but Erma La Em quickly hustled by for a length and a quarter victory in 1:53. She returned $6.20, $3.00 and $3.00. McArts and Crafts finished third off a ground-saving journey. Best Place, who held fourth, and Diamond Jubilee also advanced to the final.

Steve LeBlanc trains Erma La Em for Joseph Barbera of Huntington Station, NY. The Cam's Card Shark filly has now won six of 21 career starts.

"She tries very hard and puts out a great effort every time," LeBlanc noted. "Last year she was kind of sore towards the end of the season, but this year she's come together. That first group [of fillies] looked pretty strong. We definitely caught the right division tonight. But every time she's put in a race, whatever the speed they go, she goes."

The $200,000 Thomas D'Altrui Miss New Jersey shares the spotlight with the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic for 3-year-old pacing colts on Saturday, May 31 at the Meadowlands. The events are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey and restricted to state-bred horses.