By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Western Joe
received another good steer from driver Pat Berry on the way to winning the
Meadowlands Saturday night feature, the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for pacers,
for the third time in four tries.
Ever since finishing fourth to
Downbytheseaside in the Progress Pace on Nov. 30, the 4-year-old son of Western
Ideal has won five of eight outings, with a total of seven on-the-board
finishes.
On Saturday night, Western Joe was on
the go early, grabbing the lead from Bettor’s Edge just after the quarter,
which went in :27.1. Bettor’s Edge retook at the three-eighths and the pair
stayed that way to the top of the stretch.
Around the far turn, 4-5 favorite
Rockin Ron was making his presence felt swinging to the outside for the stretch
drive after racing in a live flow third-over. But through the lane, while
Rockin Ron was closing in on the far outside, Western Joe found an opening
along the inside and powered clear to record a 1¼-length win in 1:50. Rockin
Ron finished second, with Bettor’s Edge holding third.
As the third choice in the field of
seven, Western Joe returned $13.00 to his backers for trainer Chris Choate and
owner Anthony Ruggeri. He now has 13 wins in 34 career starts and a bankroll of
just over $200,000.
A LITTLE MORE: Leading driver Jim Marohn Jr. won
three races on the card. … One lucky player held the only winning ticket in the
fourth-race Trifecta and walked away with $24,961.50 for a $1 base wager. … The
Pick-5 was not hit, resulting in a carryover of $30,202. … The Pick-4 pool was
crushed to the tune of $94,699, and those who hit it cashed in for $454.35 for
a 50-cent bet. … The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High Five again did not result
in a single-ticket winner, bloating the carryover to $120,134. … All-source
wagering totaled $2,719,591. … Racing resumes at the Big M Friday at 6:35 p.m.
