Remmen Trainee in
Career Form
Wake
Up Peter entered tonight’s $30,000 A-2/A-1/Free For All Handicap with two wins
in his last four starts. He left the racetrack tonight three for his last
five. Leaving for forward position off the wings of the gate, the 5/2
second choice Wake Up Peter found a comfortable spot, fourth along the pylons,
where Brett Miller showed patience through an opening quarter of 27-seconds
flat. When Sante Fe Beachboy, who was pacing just ahead of Wake Up Peter
pulled first over, Wake Up Peter quickly grabbed his cover and drafted off
Yannick Gingras’ helmet through a 54.2 half mile and a three quarter clocking
of 1:21.2. Brett Miller pulled on the right line and Wake Up Peter
responded and drew clear to a two length win, stopping the timer in
1:48.4. Dapper Dude was second and Handsome Henry K rallied to be third.
In a post-race interview Brett Miller referred to Wake Up Peter’s determination
as the difference maker. “He is a very good horse, but more than that he
always gives 100-percent, everytime, he gives 100-percent.”
The victory marked the 14th time the son of Rocknroll Hanover has
made it to the winner’s circle this season with earnings of $248,710 for the
year. Wake Up Peter is trained by Larry Remmen for owner Bradley Grant.
In the $20,000 B-1 Pace, Doctor Butch returned dividends as the even-money
favorite to score in 1:50.1.
Having found trouble in each of his last four starts in the top-class at The
Meadowlands, Doctor Butch moved first over for Tim Tetrick and with nothing but
racetrack in front of him, the son of Art Major responded to the clear sailing,
pacing strong through the stretch while holding off both Rockin Wizard and
Sweet Rock to win on the class drop. Despite the first over move into
strong fractions of 26.2, 54.2 and 1:23, Doctor Butch was able to sustain his
rally for Linda Toscano who earned her first training win of the meet and owner
Kenneth Jacobs.
Gold Rocks made it two in a row, scoring a powerful win in the $20,000 B-2/B-1
Handicap for three year olds. Electing to stay along the pylons while
Winds Of Change established a quick tempo of 27.3, 55.1 and 1:22.4, Gold Rocks
waited until the stretch to make his move. When Tim Tetrick found room,
he guided Gold Rocks outside of his rivals where he stormed past them all to
win in 1:50.4 for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr and owners Stephen Herrick and Bruce
Soulsby.
K-Lees Shakenbake rallied from far back again to win the $16,000 B-2 Pace in
race four. Despite getting away last from the widest post, the son of
Raycer Thad tracked a stalled outer flow while the fractions were hot and heavy
up front. Warrawee Needy was wheeling off a 26.1, 53.3 and 1:20.3 clip
and he fought all the way to the wire. But, he could not hold off the
oncoming K-Lees Shakenbake who was a last to first winner for the second
consecutive week, tripping the timer in 1:49.3, establishing a new lifetime mark
with driver Scott Zeron. The winner is trained by David M. Smith and
owned by Randall Bendis and Thomas Pollack.
There will be a pair of carryovers into the Friday card at The
Meadowlands. The 13th race Jackpot Super Hi-5 features a
carryover of $14,924, while the 5th race Jackpot Super Hi-5
Carryover stands at $2,258.
Racing resumes on Friday, December 26th with first post time at 7:15
P.M. The Meadowlands would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe
holiday season.
