by James Witherite, Meadowlands Media Relations
East Rutherford, N.J. -- Just like the night before,
Saturday (January 30) night's harness racing program at The Meadowlands
attracted over $3 million in total handle, and millionaire pacer Real Nice
($7.60) sustained a first-over push to capture the evening's featured $16,000
top-level conditioned pace.
All-sources handle for the 14-race card was $3,087,871, a
healthy increase of $240,642 from the corresponding Saturday card in 2015, with
both live and export handle showing gains over the previous year.
In the night's top pace, Real Nice settled into a
comfortable midpack stalking spot, situated well off a :26.3 initial quarter
from pacesetter Sweet Beach (Brett Miller). On approach to race's
midpoint, Scott Zeron angled the 11-year-old Real Artist gelding off the pegs
to head the outer flow, but Real Nice didn't gear up in earnest until well
after a :54.1 half. On the far turn, Real Nice made up four lengths
through a :27.3 third split, continuing on to duel with Sweet Beach off the far
turn. The now 54-time winner ultimately took charge in the final
sixteenth, fully extended to just collar Sweet Beach and narrowly stave off the
flying 66-1 longshot First Of Itskind (Jim Marohn, Jr.) for the slimmest of
victories in 1:49.4. Lukewarm 5-2 favorite Kingofthejungle (Andy Miller)
only could muster a fourth-place finish after angling second-over a quarter
from home and not accelerating until the final 70 yards.
Scott Blackler trains Real Nice--who recorded his third
consecutive victory in tonight's feature--for Anthony Scussel and the Lightning
5 racing stable. Blackler also found victory with Santanna Star ($2.60,
1:52.4) and Ethan Hanover ($23.80, 1:51), teaming up with Zeron on both
occasions. The 26-year-old Zeron led all drivers with six wins on the
night, also aboard Wayward Son ($63.60, 1:52.3), Hope for Badlands ($7.20,
1:52), and Giant Slayer ($6.80, 1:52.1).
The sub-featured $13,000 third-level conditioned pace saw
Starsky's Dream N ($6.20) work to the fore early after losing cover upon
reaching the backstretch, rate a :57 middle half, and stave off a sustained
first-over bid from Pansformative while accelerating to a half-length, 1:51.1
win. Tim Tetrick drove the 11-time winner for owner Richard Poillucci and
trainer Kelvin Harrison.
Heading to the upcoming Friday (February 5) program, not
only will both 20¢ Jackpot High 5 wagers carry over ($14,981 to the seventh
race; $73,603 to the finale), but the 50¢ Pick 5 will also see added money in the
pool, with $18,653 carrying over after Saturday's punters were stymied by 16-1
and 30-1 winners in the sequence. Post time will be 6:35 p.m. Eastern.
