by James Witherite, Meadowlands Media Relations
East Rutherford, N.J. -- Odds-on choice Rockeyed Optimist
rolled to the front and never looked back en route to his third consecutive win
in Saturday (March 12) night's $25,000 Open Handicap Pace at The Meadowlands,
and handle exceeded $3 million for the 12th time in the last 13 cards at the
North Jersey harness track.
In the featured $25,000 Open Handicap Pace, Rockeyed
Optimist ($3.60) sprinted off from his five rivals after using the first
three-eighths of the mile to work clear, earning his third consecutive win and
second at the Open level. Tim Tetrick spotted the 5-year-old Rocknroll
Hanover gelding second-over on the first turn, tracking Bettor's Edge (Joe
Bongiorno) through a :27.1 quarter before losing cover and subsequently working
clear on the backstretch. Once assuming the lead, Rockeyed Optimist faced
no pressure, edging clear off the far turn and powering home in 1:49, using a
:26 last quarter burst to evade his foes. Rockeyed Optimist ultimately
prevailed by two lengths over Bettor's Edge, while Sunfire Blue Chip (John
Campbell) stayed on for third from his stalking trip.
Steve Elliott trains the 18-time winner for the partnership
of Perretti, Berkner, the A & B Stable, and Battaglia. For Elliott,
it was a sweep of the evening's featured events, as another trainee of his--Art
History ($8.20)--captured the night's sub-featured $16,000 upper-level
conditioned pace earlier in the program. The 5-year-old Western Ideal
gelding sustained a first-over push through the far turn, overtaking 2014
Little Brown Jug winner Limelight Beach in mid-stretch and subsequently staving
off a late rally from K-Lees Shakenbake. Scott Zeron drove 12-time winner
Art History to his 1:50 triumph.
Anthony Napolitano led all drivers with a grand slam,
teaming up with Honey I'm Home ($2.80, 1:51.4), Hoboken Hanover ($7.40,
1:52.2), Last Dragon ($18.00, 1:50.2), and Major War ($4.60, 1:50.3).
Tetrick and Bongiorno drove three winners apiece on the 13-race card.
Total betting turnover exceeded $3 million for the 12th time
in the last 13 cards at The Meadowlands, with punters wagering $3,088,696 on
the Saturday program--$423,919 more than the corresponding Saturday card in
2015.
Racing returns to The Meadowlands on Friday (March 18)
evening, with post time at 7:15 p.m. EDT, $105,000 in guaranteed Pick 4 and
Pick 5 pools, and a last-race 20¢ Jackpot High 5 carryover of $135,800.
