Rockin Wizard got his nose on the wire, literally in a thrilling photo finish
in the $22,500 featured condition pace at The Meadowlands on Saturday
night. With four horses across the track on the wire, Rockin Wizard just
got to the wire in time, holding off the fast closing longshot, Fool Me Once,
who was rallying up the pylons.
Sweet Rock was launched to the lead and reached the opening quarter in 27.2,
but on the backstretch Dave Miller guided Rockin Wizard to the outside and
launched their bid for the lead, which they would claim shortly before the 55.4
half mile. Rockin Wizard led the field around the far turn, with Sweet
Rock in the pocket and Ontario Success advancing on the outside. Sweet
Rock pulled pocket through three-quarters in 1:23.2. In the stretch,
Rockin Wizard was called on for everything he had, Sweet Rock was trying to get
to the leader, Fool Me Once found room at the pylons and Smart Rokker rallied
off cover. The four of them would race to the wire together, with Rockin
Wizard gamely holding onto the lead and earning the victory in 1:51. The win
was one of three on the program for Dave Miller. Rockin Wizard is trained by
Virgil Morgan Jr. for Majs Ny Inc., Gerrie Tucker and RBH Ventures Inc.
That’s My Opinion, the $350,000 yearling, made his first
start of his four year old campaign a winning one, scoring a 1:51.2 triumph in
non-winners of four company.
Released at 5-1 in his comeback, That’s My Opinion showed
good speed off the gate, securing a pocket position behind the speed of Murder
He Wrote. Driver Scott Zeron was content to remain in a stalking position
from the pocket with his four year old gelding throughout the mile, allowing
Murder She Wrote to establish the early pace, posting fractions of 27.2, 54.4
and 1:22.4. Murder She Wrote carried That’s My Opinion all the way into
the stretch, when the first over bid from FF Bigshow stalled, allowing That’s
My Opinion to rip out of the pocket and wear the down the early leader to grab
the victory.
The win was the sixth for That’s My Opinion who was sent
out by trainer Tony Alagna for Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Joe Sbrocco and
Little E L.L.C.
Windsong Gorgeous found the winners’ circle for the fourth
consecutive week. After back to back wins for the Virgil Morgan stable,
‘Gorgeous picked up the victory for Mike Watson tonight, the eighth victory for
the eight year old gelding already this season. He was claimed once again
for $35,000 and will return the Morgan barn once again.
On the track, ‘Gorgeous was a one-horse show, going right
to the top, leading through fractions of 27.4, 56.1 and 1:24 before turning for
home and accelerating once again when Ballinrobe came out of the pocket to
challenge the leader. But Windsong Gorgeous promptly dismissed Ballinrobe
and then fended off the late rally of Panchester United to win in 1:51.1.
Windsong Gorgeous got his picture taken with owners Melvin Fink and Clifford
Grundy tonight.
You Bet Your Glass rebounded in the $10,000 Claiming Dash for
the “G” Notes Final, scoring a victory out of the pocket for Corey Callahan,
who had a big night winning five races on the program. The win was timed
in 1:51. Trained by Robert Breshnahan Jr. for Lee Cotroneo, You Bet Your
Glass scored his third victory of the season and made amends for his defeat as
an overwhelming favorite the week before.
The fifth race Super Hi-5 carryover continues to grow, with
the carryover pool now at $71,506 and the last race carryover is now $35,827.
Racing returns on Friday, with first post time at 7:15 P.M.
