East Rutherford, N.J. -- Another step up, another convincing
win.
Betty Tauber's Elrama N ($3.20) rose to the occasion in
Friday (December 23) evening's featured $15,500 top-level conditioned pace at
The Meadowlands, using a strong first-over push through the far turn to reel
off his third win in a row.
Brett Miller was unhurried early on with the 7-year-old Elsu
gelding, settling in fourth as Alberto Contador N (Jim Marohn, Jr.) and Rufo
(Drew Monti) alternated on the lead through early splits of :27.2 and :55.4. At
race's midpoint, Elrama N began his first-over ascent, charging boldly after
Rufo, forcing a :28.3 third quarter, and pushing to the fore at head-stretch.
After putting away Rufo, Elrama N edged clear of a brief bid from the
second-over Windsun Stetson (Joe Bongiorno) and ultimately held sway by
three-quarters of a length for a 1:51.4 score. El Bloombito (John Campbell)
rallied down the grandstand side off third-over cover to narrowly take second
over Alberto Contador N, who held third from his pocket trip.
Michael Russo trains Elrama N, now a 23-time winner. For
Miller, the driving win was one of five on the program.
The early 20¢ Jackpot High Five was captured again in the
night's fifth race, as 130-1 shot Miramontman (Steve Smith) sustained late
gains to take fourth behind the favored trio of Toatsmygoats ($10.60, Andy
Miller), Pansformative (2-1, Bongiorno), and Hugh Hefner N (2-1, Marohn) to
spur a $5,834.08 score. UF Larry Alltheway (9-1, Tyler Smith) rounded out the
8-7-2-10-9 combination. The late Jackpot High Five will see $10,891.52 carry
over to Thursday's card.
Total handle for the 13-race program was $2,868,800.
Live racing returns to the Big M with a 10-race card on
Thursday (December 29), and programs on Friday (December 30) and Saturday
(December 31) evenings to round out the 2016 season. Post time each night is
7:15 p.m. Eastern.
