East Rutherford, N.J. -- The Rock and Roll Stable's
Americanprimetime ($7.40) was resolute amid early pressure, turning aside two
early challengers and setting fast fractions en route to a 1:49 triumph in the
featured $17,500 top-level pace at the Meadowlands on Saturday (June 25)
evening.
Joe Bongiorno had the accelerator down early with the
4-year-old American Ideal entire, battling with Vapour N (Pat Berry) and Art
History (Victor Kirby) through a :26.2 first quarter and refusing to yield.
While Vapour N eased off the pace, Americanprimetime would not shake off the
challenge of Art History until well after a :53.4 half, subsequently gaining
separation on the field through the far turn. Americanprimetime amassed a 3-1/2
length lead in upper stretch, but was fully extended in the last eighth to
stave off a massive rally from Jacksrluckytoo (Jim Marohn, Jr.), who circled
three-wide off the far turn and closed boldly to miss Americanprimetime's 1:49
mile by a scant head. Ashley's Husband (Vinny Ginsburg) circled from the rear
of the field to take third, a farther 3-1/2 lengths back.
Rick Dane, Jr. trains Americanprimetime, now a 7-time
winner.
For Bongiorno, the featured win was one of five on the
12-race card. Vinny Ginsburg also accounted for five driving wins on the
evening, including the $15,000 Dash for the "G" Notes mini-series
final for first-level conditioned pacers with Vague Traces ($2.20, 1:50).
Kate Repetto was crowned the 2016 Ms. Hot to Trot at the
Meadowlands and Alicia Blanks the runner-up, taking a $5,000 grand prize and
$2,500 second prize, respectively.
Both 20¢ Jackpot High 5 wagers carry over to next Friday's
(July 1) program, with $21,976.73 going to the fifth-race High 5, and
$267,769.47 added to the closing-race High 5 should one bettor take down the
entire pool.
Despite one fewer race on the card in comparison to the
corresponding Saturday program in 2015, total all-sources handle increased by
$178,363.
Friday evening's program is due to commence at 7:15 p.m.
Eastern. Fans and horsemen alike are advised that the Saturday (July 2) card
carries a special first post of 6:30 p.m. For full information on racing,
dining, and events at the Meadowlands, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.
