East Rutherford, N.J. – Carryovers
yielded a large Pick 4 pool and a hefty payday for one player in Saturday
(December 10) evening’s Jackpot High 5 at The Meadowlands.
The night’s featured seventh race began
a Late Pick 4 sequence that boasted a carryover of over $39,000, and players
responded with $236,988 in new money. Similarly, a carryover of $57,161 and
double-digit horses sweeping the top three positions prompted a $68,028.42
dividend in the closing race 20¢ Jackpot High 5 at The Big M.
To Beach His Own ($29.20) keyed the
4-6-3-5-8 combination, which was held by a single player through the Oregon
simulcast hub.
Muscle Diamond victorious in Big M
return
A year on the sidelines failed to deter
Muscle Diamond ($6.40), who advanced with live cover before striking the front
in mid-stretch and holding sway in the evening’s $18,000 top-level conditioned
trot.
John Campbell settled the 4-year-old
Muscle Hill entire in mid-division as early pacesetter Aldebaran Eagle (Andy
Miller) controlled early splits of :27.4 and :56.1 before sliding second-over
behind Rock of Cashel (Corey Callahan) on the far turn. Muscle Diamond was
towed into second through a :28.3 third quarter, advanced on his own accord to
put away Rock of Cashel in mid-stretch, but he wasn’t home free yet. A
pair of late challengers emerged—Kelsey’s Keepsake (Joe Bongiorno) from
third-over and Classical Annie (Jim Marohn, Jr.) up the pegs from the
pocket—yet Muscle Diamond kept them a neck and a half-length at bay
respectively, prevailing in 1:53.
Trainer Brett Bittle co-owns 7-time
winner Muscle Diamond with Charles Keller, III, Charles Keller, IV, and E.
Daniel Bittle.
David Miller led all drivers with three
wins on the 13-race program, while Brett Miller tallied another two after his
Friday grand slam.
Total betting turnover for the evening
was $2,527,155.
Players and horsemen alike are advised
that next week’s racing schedule at The Meadowlands consists of live cards on
Thursday (December 15) and Friday (December 16), with Saturday a dark day. Post
time both evenings is 7:15 p.m. Eastern.
