Manchego breezes in Miss Versatility

Mancheo remained unbeaten in 2021 with her third straight win on the season Saturday night at The Meadowlands.

Competing in the first race, the first of two $30,000 divisions of the third leg of the Miss Versatility Series for trotting mares, Mancheo was not the early center of attraction.

The early action was between No Mas Drama (David Miller) who got the lead quickly from post six and then parked out A Fancy Face (Scott Zeron) to the opening quarter mile in :27.

A Fancy Face was able to clear to the lead and took the field to the half mile in :55.1 before Manchego with driver Yannick Gingras swung into motion.

Getting away in fifth place after the start, Gingras pulled on the right line and started Manchego first-over and the world champion mare responded as usual, grinding her way up and collaring race leader A Fancy Face at the three-quarters in 1:24.

Already cleared to the lead and pulling away at the top of the stretch, Manchego kicked in a :26.1 last quarter mile to win with ease in a romp by four open lengths in 1:50.4. Felicityshagwell S (Ake Svanstedt) was second with No Mas Drama third.

MANCHEGO REPLAY

Not only was it the third straight victory for Manchego ($2.20), but the six-year-old mare by Muscle Hill registered her fastest win of the season for trainer Nancy Takter and Black Horse Racing of Lebanon, NJ.

More to come on the second division of the Miss Versatility Series.

For full race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink