Former
Meadowlands Pace runner-up rallies through the stretch to win
On a night that was tough on horses looking to rally from off the pace, Odds On
Equuleus bucked the Saturday night trend at The Meadowlands, rocketing off
cover to win in his return off a month freshening.
Considered just one of many contenders in a loaded condition event to kick off
the Late Pick 4, Odds On Equuleus was released at 7/2 in the highly competitive
field. Blatantly Best was sent off as the lukewarm 3-1 favorite in the
field and Windsong Gorgeous, riding a four race win streak was dismissed at 5-1
despite winning as an overwhelming favorite the previous week.
The early lead belonged to Dapper Dude, fresh off three attempts in the Levy
series. In fact, the six year old led the field all the way to mid-stretch,
reeling off fractions of 26.3, 53.4 and 1:21.4.
Despite setting a brisk
pace, Dapper Dude found himself in front with just an eighth of a mile to
go. Pocket-sitter Windsong Gorgeous offered no pace in the stretch and
retreated, as did the first over Mister Virgin. A perfectly positioned Ontario
Success, who sat second over launched a rally in the stretch, but Odds On
Equuleus was tracking that foe every step of the way and he exploded through
the stretch with a 26.4 final quarter to win going away in 1:49.2.
The win was the second of the season for Odds On Equuleus, driven to victory by
Scott Zeron who won three races on the card for trainer Tony Alagna and owners,
Odds On Racing.
In other action, Panchester United won the prep for the Whata Baron series,
scoring a head victory over a game Rock Out in 1:51 for Dave Miller and trainer
Ron Burke, who both scored
doubles on the card.
Tonight’s Dash For The “G” Notes Final went to Let’s Foal Around, who held on
by a nose over the surging Mambo Italiano and Rock Star in 1:51.2. The
win was one of three on the program for driver Andy Miller. Stacy Chiodo
trained the G-Note winner for Eugene Landy.
The high-money condition pace on the card came in race 12, a $22,500 pacing
event that featured a select field of six. Fool Me Once emerged
victorious in wire to wire fashion for Scott Zeron and Tony Alagna, who teamed
up to win with the aforementioned Odds On Equuleus. Fool Me Once fended
off the late challenge of Dovuto Hanover to score a 1:50.4 triumph for owner
Bradley Grant.
Both Jackpot Hi-5 pools went unclaimed again. The fifth race Jackpot
Super Hi-5 sports a carryover of $80,594 into the Friday, April 17th
program, while the last race Jackpot carryover now stands at $46,357.
Racing resumes on Friday at 7:15 P.M. Horsemen are reminded of the double
draw for The Meadowlands, which takes place on Monday for both the Friday and
Saturday programs. The upcoming weekend includes the first round of the
Whata Baron pacing series as well as the Spring Preview for three year old
pacers and trotters, colts/geldings and fillies alike, with separate events for
non-winners of 1 and non-winners of 2 company. The Spring Preview
requires just a one-time $500 entry fee. The Meadowlands condition sheet
is available at http://meadowlandsracetrack.com/uploadedFiles/Horsemen/Condition_Sheets/Cond.%20Sheet%20-%20Apr.%2017-18(1).pdf.
