APEX ATOP HIS GAME IN NEW JERSEY CLASSIC ROOKIE TROT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- September 5, 2025 -- Apex took full advantage of a pocket trip behind rival Diabolic Hill before lifting in mid-stretch en route to a dominant 1:52.2 score — his fourth in a row in New Jersey — in the $250,000 New Jersey Classic for 2-year-old male trotters on Friday (Sept. 5) at the Meadowlands.

Dexter Dunn kept Apex out of trouble on the first turn as both Maga Hill (driven by Yannick Gingras) and Practical Man (Todd McCarthy) broke stride in pursuit of the early lead. Captain Jordan (Tim Tetrick) inherited that lead from the pole nearing the completion of a :29 first quarter before yielding to Apex, who in turn yielded control to Diabolic Hill (Andy McCarthy) upon reaching the backstretch.

"We had enough room on the first turn when they both made the breaks to handle it," said Dunn of Apex, who had floated just behind the front flight in the race's initial stages. "To the horse's credit, he handled it like a professional."

After ceding the lead to Diabolic Hill, who was unopposed for the entire middle half, Apex drafted through splits of :56.4 and 1:25.2 before angling off the pegs turning for home. And while McCarthy had to ask Diabolic Hill for his best stretch effort, Apex's mind was already on business, and the Walner-Mission Brief colt rolled to the lead with 150 yards to go and drew clear handily by 5-3/4 lengths while also shaving a full second off his previous lifetime best. Captain Jordan and Southwind Alamo (Johnathan Ahle) overtook a breaking Diabolic Hill in deep stretch and rallied to finish second and third, respectively.

"He felt super tonight; he traveled terrific throughout the mile," continued Dunn. "When I moved him at the top of the straight, he was doing it easy at the end. He seems to be learning all the time; I couldn't be more pleased with how he's progressing."

As the 2-5 favorite, Apex returned $2.80 to win. Marcus Melander trains the four-time winner, who has earned $272,100 for the partnership of Jeffrey Snyder, SRF Stable and Steve Stewart.

The $250,000 New Jersey Classic for 3-year-old male trotters proved markedly more eventful: Second choice The Rogue Prince broke behind the gate, 1-2 favorite Onajetplane stalled turning for home after a long first-over grind, and first-place finisher Mountcastle switched to a pacing gait four strides before the winning post, all leading to unofficial runner-up Camera Man being elevated to a 21-1 upset.

Jason Bartlett spotted Camera Man in seventh early as 50-1 pacesetter Go Boom (Dunn) controlled early splits of :27.1 and :55.3. As Onajetplane and Andy McCarthy began their first-over ascent out of fifth midway up the backstretch, Mountcastle (Scott Zeron) angled second-over and Bartlett landed Camera Man third-over into a live tow that picked up considerably through the far turn.

Onajetplane worked forward steadily to offer mild pressure to Go Boom past three-quarters in 1:23.2 but stalled upon cornering for home, prompting Zeron to slingshot Mountcastle three-deep in the final furlong. But as Mountcastle struck the front and picked up speed nearing the winning post, he switched into a pace, resulting in his demotion to second behind Camera Man, who slipstreamed his bold mid-stretch move and finished two lengths in arrears before being promoted to victory. Go Ahead Makemyday (Gingras) emerged from traffic to save third over an engulfed Go Boom.

Onajetplane faded to finish ninth in the 10-horse field.

Camera Man, a Six Pack-Cameron Hill colt with five career wins and $201,927 in total purses earned, is trained by Bruce Saunders for Randy Zane. He paid $44.00 to win, and his race time of 1:51.2 knocked over two seconds off his previous lifetime mark.

"We got multiple breaks in there," admitted Saunders. "We were lucky two times, and you've got to be lucky in this game. He got a very good trip tonight. The flow was perfect, and Jason did a great job with him.

"He's improved each start. He's a happy horse; we couldn't be any happier for him. Great owner, great caretaker — that's what's necessary to be successful in this game."