by James Witherite, Meadowlands Media Relations
East Rutherford, N.J. -- After making two separate moves in
the first three-eighths of Saturday (January 16) evening's $25,000 Open
Handicap Pace at the Meadowlands, Henderson Farms' Bushwacker ($2.80) held sway
for his third consecutive top-level win in New Jersey.
Tim Tetrick sent the 5-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding
forward at race's outset, easing off a trio of other leavers before commencing
a brush to the fore after a :26.4 first quarter. Bushwacker forged clear
with five-eighths of the mile yet in front of him, taking charge from Dover
invader Atta Boy Dan (Yannick Gingras) and subsequently rating a :55.3 middld
half. After facing mild first-over pressure from Kingofthejungle (Andy
Miller) on the far turn, Bushwacker accelerated clear in mid-stretch. He
ultimately prevailed in 1:50 by 1-1/4 lengths, holding clear enough of Atta Boy
Dan's late rally between rivals. Sweet Beach (Brett Miller) swung
four-wide in mid-stretch off his third-over bid to pass tired pressers and
stalkers in claiming third honors.
Chris Ryder trains the 15-time winner.
In addition to his win aboard Bushwacker in the feature,
Tetrick paired up with five other winners on the night, including True Blue
Hall ($8.20, 1:51.4), Moonlight Ransom ($5.60, 1:52.3), Dinner At the Met
($5.00, 1:52.1), Our Dragon King ($4.80, 1:51.3), and Arockin Hanover ($2.20,
1:53.1).
In the evening's sub-featured $16,000 upper-level
conditioned pace, Real Nice ($17.80) capitalized on a pocket trip, enjoying
clear sailing throughout behind favored pacesetter Bettor Than You (Gingras)
before kicking clear by 1-1/2 lengths for a 1:50.4 triumph. The
11-year-old veteran earned his 53rd career win in rein to Scott Zeron for owners
Anthony Scussel and the Lightning 5 Racing Stable and trainer Scott Blackler.
Saturday evening's total handle for the 14-race program was
$2,826,048, including $156,822 in the evening's trio of guaranteed-pool
horizontal wagers. Since neither 20-cent Jackpot High 5 was hit, Friday
(January 22) evening's seventh-race High 5 will boast a $5,915 carryover, while
the finale's High 5 will carry $62,725 of added money should one punter take
down the entire pool.
Live racing returns to The Meadowlands on Friday (January
22) evening, with first post scheduled for 6:35 p.m. EST.
