By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Having beaten mid-range
conditioned foes in his last start, Endeavor wasn’t given much of a chance by
the betting public in Saturday night’s feature at the Meadowlands, when he went
up against some tough customers in the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for pacers
and was sent off at odds of 12-1.
The betting public had this one all wrong.
After a tough-trip, fifth-place finish at the hands of
the red-hot Western Joe a week ago, Bettor’s Edge was sent to the gate as the
3-2 public choice. The son of Bettor’s Delight was permitted to rate the middle
half in :57, so it appeared the veteran with the $2 million bank account was on
his way.
But Endeavor wasn’t having it.
The Pat Lachance trained and driven son of American
Ideal sat a three-hole trip from the start, tipped off the rail at the head of
the stretch and steamrolled right by the leader uncorking a final quarter of
:25.4 to win by three-quarters-of-a-length in 1:50.2. Bettor’s Edge held second
with Sweet Rock claiming the show dough.
Endeavor returned $27.60 to his backers for owner
Helene Fillion of Mirabel, QC, CA.
A LITTLE MORE: Trainer
Ross Croghan was on target with his “Down Under Wonders” on the program, scoring
with New Zealand-breds Hug The Wind N ($4.60 to win, 1:50.2 for the mile) and
Mr Euroman N ($3.40, 1:50). He missed going three-for-three when his Sprinter N
failed as the 1-2 choice in the finale. … Anthony Napolitano and Andy Miller
both recorded driving triples. … Big payoffs were there for the taking once
again as the Pick 5 returned $12,188.15 while the 20-Cent Survivor Pick 10 came
back $16,312.50. … The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High Five failed to result in
a single-ticket winner, bloating the carryover to $84,140.06. … All-source
wagering on the 13-race card reached $2,790,201, a new high for 2018. … Racing
resumes at the Big M Friday at 6:35 p.m.
