BETTING BUSTS THE $3-MILLION BARRIER AGAIN AT BIG M

 BETTING BUSTS THE $3-MILLION BARRIER AGAIN AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Wagering was vigorous at The Meadowlands Saturday night, with all-source action clearing the $3-million hurdle for the fourth time in 2022 as $3,173,852 was put in play on the 13-race card.

Single-race betting exceeded $300,000 twice during the program, as $300,459 was wagered on race seven while $313,444 was the total pool on the 10^th. The track’s most-popular multi-leg bet – the $50,000 guaranteed 50-cent Pick-4 – was a hit with players, as $91,429 was put in play in the sixth race before $93,952 was poured into the pot in the 10^th.

The best night of wagering this year came on March 5, when a total of $3.75 million worth of action was taken.

GETTING IT DUNN: Dexter Dunn followed up his three-winner Friday with four more victories on the Saturday card, assuring the 32-year-old pilot of being named The Big M Driver of the Week for a second consecutive time.

Dunn reeled off four winners in a row starting in the third race when Stienams Beach scored and paid $10.60. I’ll Drink To That followed and returned $4.00 before I’m A Big Deal ($8.40) and Kenziesky Hanover ($6.20) capped the three-time defending United States Harness Writers Association Driver of the Year’s night.

The New Zealand native is continuing his climb in the driver standings. He currently sits fourth with 21 winners. Yannick Gingras (56), Joe Bongiorno (34) and Corey Callahan (22) are the top three.

THE STREAK LIVES: Gingras took the second race with Flyhawk El Fuerte ($13.00), extending the 42-year-old Hall of Fame-bound pilot’s streak of winning at least once on all 21 race cards conducted at The Big M in 2022.

A LITTLE MORE: Jeff Cullipher, Williams Hernandez and Chris Ryder all trained a pair to victory lane. … Todd McCarthy had a driving triple. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

Lougazi Adds To Highlight Reel With Buffalo Win

 by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

 

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It was the first start of the season for Lougazi and it didn't take long for the talented 8-year-old trotter to put another race onto his amazing highlight reel. And this one may have topped them all.

 

Spotting the field more than 10 lengths after a break at the starting gate, Lougazi ($2.90) put in another patented comeback rally and took the $15,000 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (March 26). He beat Schnickel Fritz by three quarter lengths while Sanchez Rocks finished in third. 

 

David McNeight III, who had four winners on the evening, steered Lougazi to victory in 2:01.1 and he also drove Reggiano to a 1-1/2 length score in the sub-featured $14,2000 Open I-II Handicapped Pace in 1:57.1.

 

But the buzz of the night belonged to Lougazi.

 

Jumping it off just before the gate opened up, Lougazi seemed destined to have a dismal seasonal debut. But McNeight III got Lougazi back on task and the veteran trotter put his head down and went to work.

 

With Photo Bomber leading the way through a half mile of 1:00.4, Lougazi caught the pack and then was three-wide and winging it at the three quarter marker. Going four-wide down the stretch, Lougazi ended up a comfortable three quarters lengths and completed the amazing comeback.

 

Owned by Mary Warriner and trained by Ryan Swift, it was the 43rd career victory for Lougazi (Lou's Legacy-Winning Blade), now a winner of $322,231 lifetime.

 

Reggiano used a first over trip and won the featured pace to the wire by holding off Out On Bail (Kevin Cummings) and Stratosphere (Drew Monti).

 

Mississippi Rabbit was in control of the tempo by setting fractions of :28.2, 58.0 and 1:27.3 over the good track. But those splits proved to be a little too ambitious as the closers began to engulf Mississippi Rabbit.

 

Reggiano, who was first over, won the race to the wire, pulling away down the stretch to notch the decision.

 

Owned and trained by Marc Shuttleworth, it was the second win in six tries this year for the 10-year-old Reggiano. The victory upped his seasonal bankroll to $20,227 and $473,045 lifetime.

 

Shawn McDonough had a good night as he made three trips to the winner's circle and conditioned a pair of winners.

 

Racing will continue on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. with a 10-race program set. With the Pick 5 not being hit for the second card in a row, there will be a guaranteed pool of $15,000 on Wednesday.

 

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com

Meadowlands to Open Early Dubai World Cup

Media Relations Department

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The Meadowlands Racetrack and Winners Off-Track Wagering in Bayonne will open at 8:30 a.m. this Saturday, March 26th for the simulcast of the 26^th edition of the Dubai World Cup. 

The Meadowlands and Winners will take races three through nine from Meydan Racecourse.  Race three, the Dubai Gold Cup, has a post time of 8:55 am.  Post time for the Dubai World Cup is 12:30 pm. 

U.S. runners Life Is Good, Midnight Bourbon, Country Grammer and Hot Rod Charlie headline the entries in the $12 million Dubai World Cup.

For the complete simulcast lineup visit PlayMeadowlands.com