By Dave Little, Meadowlands
Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – As
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady prepare for their big game on Sunday, another
dynamic duo was at work Saturday night at the Meadowlands, as the team of
driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke scored in the track’s $20,000
Preferred Handicap for pacers with Starznheaven by a nose over Bettor’s Edge in
1:50.2 in 28-degree cold that included a minus one-second track variant.
Gingras, who also won the
Friday night feature with trotter Theresademoninme, was ultra-patient with
Starznheaven, who was sent off by the Big M faithful at a big 22-1 on the tote
board, sitting fifth to the half as Western Joe and Bettor’s Edge exchanged
stints on the front end.
The Ross Croghan-trained Hug
The Wind N, made the 2-1 betting choice off a lone North American win one week
ago with far lesser foes, was moving first-over past the five-eighths as
Starznheaven picked up cover. Bettor’s Edge and Hug The Wind N were on even
terms at the head of the stretch, but the backfield was very much in motion.
Gingras tipped Starznheaven
off his cover in mid-stretch, Bettor’s Edge dug in dead game, Hug The Wind N
was crisp between rivals while Endeavor and Awesomeness were flying on the
outside. At the wire, it Starznheaven prevailing over Bettor’s Edge and Hug The
Wind N with Endeavor and Awesomeness cashing the final two checks. The quintet
were within three-quarters-of-a-length of each other at the wire.
Starznheaven returned $47.80
as the sixth choice in the wagering in the eight-horse field and now has 24
wins in 113 lifetime starts for owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, Emond and
Karr.
WEEKEND WARRIORS: Gingras won eight races over the two weekend racing
programs, teaming up to win six of those with Burke. … Jim Marohn Jr. had a
three-bagger on the Saturday card. … Favorites won 11 of the 26 weekend races
(42.3 percent).
A LITTLE MORE: For the second straight night, the 20-Cent Survivor
Pick 10 sported a total pool of over $20,000 and a payoff of over $17,000. …
The Pick 4 saw $85,779 in wagers and a payoff of $1,351.30. … The Late 20-Cent
Jackpot Super High Five failed to result in a single-ticket winner, bloating the
carryover to $92,461. … All-source wagering was $2,757,068. … Racing resumes at
the Big M Friday night at 6:35 p.m.
