Pace-eligible
Highalator turns heads
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (February 4, 2017) – Somesizesomestyle
produced a giant-sized upset in the $16,000 pacing feature on Saturday at the
Meadowlands.
Drew Monti settled the 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere
well off the early pace in eighth as Elrama led the field through a half mile
in 55.1 and three-quarters in 1:23.1.
As the field headed into the stretch, the early fractions
caught up to Elrama. Meadowlands specialist K-Lees Shakenbake was rallying in
full gear with Brett Miller as Monti rallied even wider and just made the front
in the final strides as a 13-1 long shot.
“He has been sharp and always closing late, he has just been
sort of rough gaited late in the mile,” explained Monti, who posted a driving
double. “Tonight you could feel immediately he was sounder and he was ready to
put in a huge effort.”
Somesizesomestyle, who finished second in the 2014 Breeders
Crown Final when trained by Ron Burke, won for the 14th time in 97
career starts. With the win, he upped his career bankroll to $459,535 for owner
Brad Grant and trainer Larry Remmen.
Earlier in the night, Meadowlands Pace-eligible Highalator
cruised in a non-winners of two race in 1:52.4 with a 26.2 last quarter. He was
making just his fifth career start. Highalator is a homebred for Daryl Bier and
Charles Dombeck by Somebeachsomewhere out of the duo’s $923,000 earner Higher
and Higher.
Total handle on the 12-race program was $2,834,193.
Live racing resumes Thursday with a 9-race card. Post time
is 7:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.
Photo: Somesizesomestyle rallies to win Saturday feature
