Big Christian is living up to his name. Not only is he big in stature, he’s big in performing, now undefeated in two starts at The Meadowlands. The Indiana sired gelding scored a comfortable win in 1:57.1 with Marcus Miller in the bike.
Big Christian and Marcus Miller exit the winner’s circle at The Meadowlands for the second straight week. The four-year-old is undefeated in two starts.
Trained by Erv Miller, Big Christian left the gate in the full field of 10 with just enough speed to move into fourth along the inside as Fashion Cantab and David Miller set the first fraction of :28.4 with Senna and Dexter Dunn, the favorite of the field, taking over shortly after to lead the way to the half in :57.1.
As the outer flow began to form around the final turn, Miller opted to keep Big Christian tucked away on the inside and followed traffic. As the field moved into the stretch, Big Christian followed Headoverboots AS and Scott Zeron, who they had followed the entire way, to the outside. Miller kept Big Christian right on their back as they slowly moved up and stayed there until midway through the stretch. Then, Miller pulled on the right line and gave Big Christian a tap to advance, and the big-strided gelding went right on by all his opponents for the win in the $14,500 Non Winners of 2 trot.
Track Announcer Ken Warkentin noted the strong head wide hitting horses as they came down the stretch, which was causing slower than normal final quarters. Big Christian trotted his final panel in Headoverboots AS finished one and one-quarter length back in second in a tight photo with Violence and Yannick Gingras for third. Big Christian trotted home in :30 seconds flat.
Big Christian paid $8.00 for the win. The four-year-old Swan for All son is owned by Anthony Lombardi. Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld bred the gelding, who was unraced at both two and three. His previous win remains as his quickest in 1:56.0.
Lombardi purchased Big Christian from the Lexington Select Sale as a yearling in 2020 for $67,000. He sold under the name Chicago Audible and is the son of the Chocolatier mare Spirit of Casey. He is the only foal of two others of racing age to make it to the races so far.
Big Christian has a half-brother named Saturday who is by Muscle Mass that is a two-year-old this season. The maternal side of the family has numerous top trotters in the line, including the grand dam, Marita’s Victory, who made more than $650,000 during her career. Marita’s Victory is a full brother to the great Mr. Vic, Passionate Glide, winner of $2 million, and Mr Cantab, who still stands at stud in the state of Indiana.