For the first time since April 4, 2009
(other than Meadowlands Pace or Hambletonian Day cards), when a near
seven-figure Pick 6 pool spurned a massive night, total handle at The
Meadowlands eclipsed $4 Million on Saturday night. The total handle on
the night was $4,106,609 which was a 14-percent increase over the same program
in 2013. This was the third highest handled program in the last 16 months
along with the 14-race Meadowlands Pace card in 2013 handled which $4,311,545
and of course, Hambletonian Day 2013.
The Saturday night feature at The Meadowlands came
early in the program as Racing Secretary Peter Koch chose race two to showcase
the fastest pacers he’s got to work with in the $30,000 A-1/Free For All
Handicap. Dovuto Hanover scored a mild upset employing a first over grind
to wear down the favored Golden Receiver to in 1:49-.
The race
attracted just six horses, a result most likely of the imposing presence of
Golden Receiver, who returned to the wars last week in fine fashion. He would
go postward as the public choice from the outside post which became the five
with the late defection of Abelard Hanover.
Despite
the short field the action was hot right from the word “go” as Panesthetic and
Easy Again left hard for the pocket behind the fave with Easy Again
emerging as the leader when the quarter time flashed up 26-. Golden Receiver
found himself in the unusual position of not making the front until well past
the three eighths pole and cleared just before the half in a demanding 53.3.
Corey Callahan tried to steal a breather around the bend and was able to rate a
28.3 third panel but Tim Tetrick used that tactic to the advantage of his mount
and had Dovuto Hanover geared up and rolled alongside to engage the
leader as they entered the stretch.
Dovuto
Hanover eyeballed the veteran through the early stretch drive then
edged clear late, widening to a two and a quarter length victory. Golden
Receiver was his usual dead-game self and held the place with Easy Again third.
The winner is trained by Darran Cassar for owner Martin Scharf and returned a
$15.40 win mutual.
To view the replay of the Saturday
night feature, visit The Meadowlands’ YouTube page here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVFHacKGKio
In
the second leg of the Buddy Gilmour series for three year old pacing males the
heavily favored Dinner At The Met had his way with eight overmatched foes. With
both of last Saturday's leg one winners, Capital Account and National
Debt, given the week off in anticipation of next week’s $60,000 final, a
single division was all that was required to accommodate a mere nine entrants.
Unraced
at two, Dinner At The Met has quickly picked up the game and was winning for
the fourth time in five outings. Corey Callahan picked up the drive for the
listed Andy Miller who was absent for the card due to travel complications and
the assignment was a simple one. Sent out for the lead from post six Dinner At
The Met faced no opposition through very kind fractions then jetted hoe in 27.2
to close out the mile in 1:53-. Recharge took the place and Rock Fame held
third.
Trained
and owned in part by Erv Miller along with Bert Hochsprung, the Metropolitan
gelding will surely have to be dealt with next week in what shapes up to be an
interesting contest.
Next week, Dinner At The Met will square off with round one
winners National Debt and Capital Account in a series finale with Meadowlands
Pace implications.
Racing will resume on Thursday evening, with first post time of 7:15 P.M.
Thursday features an 11-race program, including the first round of The Winter
Survivor Series.
