by James Witherite, Meadowlands racing media
East Rutherford, N.J. – Kelvin Harrison trainee In the
Arsenal looks to return to his winning ways in Saturday (December 3) evening’s
$17,500 pacing feature at The Meadowlands. The millionaire squares off against
six rivals—including the red-hot Bullet Bob and recent Stateside arrival Uncle
Lile A—in the night’s second of 13 races.
Despite a break at the start of his last race, the
4-year-old American Ideal entire proved strong in victory three back, using a
first-over bid and a :26.2 closing quarter to defeat Boston Red Rocks and
Quality Closer in 1:49.1, a mile which equaled his lifetime mark. Brett Miller
drives the 15-time winner from post three in the field of seven. In the
Arsenal’s entrymate Dream Out Loud N arrives from Harrah’s Philadelphia following
a win over similar competition on Sunday. David Miller once again will drive
the Darran Cassar trainee from post seven, and the pair have been installed as
the 2-1 favored entry on the morning line.
Bullet Bob has emerged as a sharp contender in recent
weeks, and could serve as a likely pacesetter in the race from post six. The
32-time winner controlled the terms in this same event last week, only to be
reeled in by pocket rival Mr Hasani N in the last 40 yards of a 1:50.3 mile.
Corey Callahan drives the 4-1 third choice for trainer Mark Harder. Also
of note in the field is Noel Daley trainee Uncle Lile A, who recently arrived
in the United States after a lengthy campaign in Australia. Fellow Australian
Andy McCarthy once again will drive the 8-year-old gelding following a sweep of
the “Dash for the G-Notes” series in early November and a hard-closing
third-place finish behind Dream Out Loud N in their recent Philadelphia
matchup.
The Saturday sub-feature is the culmination of the
Jersey Strong series for $7,500 claiming pacers, with a full field of ten
lining up for the night’s 12th event. Esprit de Kayjay A is
part of the 2-1 favored entry sent to post by trainer Mike Fiumenero after a
second-place finish in his Freehold preliminary and a strong 1:53.4 win in his
local preliminary last week. David Miller will drive the 60-time winner.
As is standard, a combined $105,000 in guaranteed Pick
4 and Pick 5 pools await players on the Saturday card, along with a pair of 20¢
Jackpot High Five opportunities. Post time is slated for 7:15 p.m.
