Jug Competitor from
2014 scores as the prohibitive favorite
EAST RUTHERFORD, (April 18, 2015) – The Whata Baron
series got underway Saturday night at The Meadowlands which featured a
collection of thirteen talented pacers, split into two divisions. The first
division for $22,500 was led by Rediscovery, the overwhelming 1/5 favorite in
the field of six. As a three year old, Rediscovery contested the Little
Brown Jug and his four year old season began with a solid effort in the Sonsam
series and a sharp win in the Sagamore at Yonkers.
Driven by Yannick Gingras, Rediscovery
was allowed to settle off the pace in the early stages, having only one horse
beaten at the opening quarter. But Ideal Cowboy, fresh off the layoff was
fired up and reached that quarter in 26-seconds. Sassy Hanover was the
first horse to move and he made a sharp brush heading past the three-eighths
pole, reaching the half-mile in 54-seconds. But at that point,
Rediscovery was breathing down his neck and the favorite took over as the field
moved into the far turn. Rediscovery paced the far turn in 26.4, reaching
three quarters in an eye-opening 1:20.4 and turned for home with the
advantage. Ideal Cowboy, the once leader who was shuffled back to third
was guided back out and made his bid for the lead, trying to chase down the
favorite. But he appeared to lean in several times and was unable to
catch Rediscovery. JK Patriot, who saved ground throughout, shook free in
the stretch and rallied well to finish third. For Rediscovery, the 1:49.2
mark was a lifetime best performance.
Rediscovery is trained by Ron Burke
for Burke Racing, Weaver, Bruscemi and Collura.
The second division featured
Panchester United off his impressive victory one week ago. He was sent
off as the 3/2 favorite in the field of seven and would dictate the terms,
leading the field through fractions of 26.4, 54.2 and 1:22.3. A challenge
would come on the far turn as Corey Callahan guided Bettorever from third to
the outside and they would draw on even terms at the top of the stretch with
Rock Out locked in the pocket behind the leader. Lord Of Misrule was
tracking the cover and loomed into contention as well. They lined up
three across the track nearing the wire, with Rock Out crying out for racing room
as the field swarmed in on Panchester United, but his clearance would come too
late as Bettorever was able to wear down the favorite and score a gritty win in
1:50.4. Panchester United was just a nose behind in second while Rock Out
was a hard-luck third.
Bettorever is owned by Bamond Racing
LLC and trained by Jeffrey Bamond Jr. The 1:50.4 clocking was a new
lifetime mark for the four year old gelding.
The Spring Preview for pacers also
commenced on Saturday night. The first division for the maiden colts and
geldings went to Edward Teach, a Meadowlands Pace and Cane Pace-eligible colt
in 1:52.1, giving Yannick Gingras a sweep of the early daily double. Edward
teach made a first over bid, gained separation on the field and won
convincingly. Gratian Hanover rallied late to finish second with Devils
Cut third.
The second division saw Rock Of The
Ages, a son of the great Galleria, pull off the 9-1 upset with Andy Miller in
the bike in 1:51.3. Bobby The Greek, the prohibitive favorite was
trip-compromised, forced three wide and could not catch the winner in the
stretch, forced to settled for second with American Messenger third.
The Spring Preview for the sophomore
pacers meeting the non-winners of two condition featured a match-up of Gokudo
Hanover vs. Revenge Shark and the race did not disappoint as Gokudo Hanover cut
the mile and turned for home with the lead and Revenge Shark made a menacing
move on the turn to challenge the leader, but drifted slightly in the stretch
and Gokudo Hanover was able to hold on for the win in 1:51. Colorful
Speech earned the show spot.
On the filly side, the spotlight was
on Gweneeee J, the sister to Heston Blue Chip. For the second consecutive
week, she had to do the work, grinding it out first over, this time chasing her
stable-mate Lady Spartacus and for the second week in a row, she could not go
by the leader. Lady Spartacus earned her second victory of the season,
holding off the favorite to win in 1:53.4.
On the wagering-front, both Jackpot
Super Hi-5 pools went unclaimed again, with the fifth race Jackpot climbing to
$87,136 and the last race carryover growing to $58,172.
Racing resumes on Friday at The
Meadowlands, with first post time at 7:15 P.M.
