By Bill Finley

He looked like the biggest cinch since American Pharoah in the Belmont Stakes, but 1-9 shot Father Patrick came up short last night in the Graduate Series at the Meadowlands, losing to JL Cruze.

Father Patrick is trained by Jimmy Takter, who didn’t come home empty as his super mare Shake It Cerry won the other division of the Graduate for trotters. In the pacing side of the series, which is restricted to 4-year-olds, trainer Steve Elliott ruled the day, winning both divisions, one with Rockeyed Optimist, the other with Doo Wop Hanover.