By Dave Little,
Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. –
Rock Of Cashel returned from a four-month layoff a week ago and raised a few
eyebrows with his impressive win off a live-cover trip in 1:53.4.
Saturday night at the
Meadowlands, he proved that was no fluke.
The 7-year-old son of
Majestic Son went a tougher journey this time around, but the result was the
same as the Mark Harder trainee went parked for the final five-eighths of a
mile and won for fun nonetheless in the featured $20,000 Preferred Handicap for
trotters.
Rock Of Cashel was in
no hurry early, sitting a five-hole trip as the classy Opulent Yankee was
sailing along on the point at the half in :56.2 after rating his second
fraction in :29.3.
Gradually making up
ground while first-over, Rock Of Cashel reached the leader’s wheel as they
turned for home, and wore that foe down in determined fashion to record a
three-quarter-length win over a fast-closing Cash Me Out in 1:54. Elysium Lindy
was third.
As the odds-on public
choice, Rock Of Cashel returned $3.40 to win for owners Joseph Jannuzzelli and
Jeffery Ruch, and now has 26 wins in 146 lifetime starts.
A LITTLE MORE: Corey Callahan drove three winners on the card after
guiding six to victory lane last Saturday. … Jim Marohn Jr. won twice, giving
him 12 straight programs with at least a driving double. … The Pick 5 was not
hit, resulting in a rare carryover. They’ll be $28,786 in the hat for the next
race card. … The Pick 4 pool totaled $87,371, and resulted in a payoff of
$1,549.70 for a 50-cent wager. … The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High Five did
not result in a single-ticket winner, upping the carryover to $64,317. …
All-source wagering for the 14-race card was $2,710,217. … Racing resumes at
the Big M on Friday at 6:35 p.m.
