One world champion trotter, one former world champion pacer. Two winning qualifiers, two impressive miles during Tuesday morning's qualifying sessions.
At the Meadowlands, Lucky Jim recovered from his shaky debut at Chester in early April with a convincing 11-plus length drubbing of his trotting counterparts in 1:53. Andy Miller guided the six-year-old altered son of SJs Photo for trainer and wife Julie Miller and owners David & John Prushnok and William Gregg of Pennsylvania.
Lucky Jim is expected to race Saturday night in an effort to regain his title in the A. J. Cutler Memorial at the Meadowlands. After winning the 2009 Final in a stakes record 1:52.1, he finished second last year to Arch Madness who in turn lowered the stakes record to 1:51.
Falling just shy of the top 10 in the Trot 2011 North America Cup Spring Book, pacing colt Powerful Mist was a 1:52.1 winner in a qualifier at Harrah's Chester for driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Wayne Givens. The sophomore son of Powerful Toy is three-for-three on the year for owners Legacy Racing Of Delaware, Niel Gargiulo and Louie Paglierani.
Last year Powerful Mist won nine of 16 starts, including a 1:53 world record equaling mile at Harrington Raceway, and his exploits garnered him odds of 28-1 in the Trot Spring Book.