BONGIORNO HEATS UP IN THE
WINTER SURVIVOR
The Meadowlands Winter Survivor
Series began on Thursday, March 6 with a pair of $12,500 divisions. The opening
round drew twenty one horses that had started in a $15,000 or less claiming
race in at least once in their last four starts, which resulted in
a couple of pretty competitive fields.
In the first division, Tamayo
shipped in from The Meadows for Ron Burke with a fairly imposing record
and his form converted to the big track successfully with a 1:51.2 win. Yannick
Gingras sent Tamayo away from the gate smartly and made the top,
turned barn mate Malosi N loose as they moved toward the half and
shook free late for the score. Malosi N held second and Mc Rusty split
horses late for the show. The winner is owned by Burke Racing and Weaver
Bruscemi.
Division two was won by
Mattador D and Joe Bongiorno in 1:51-. Bongiorno found position in fourth early
as Boiler Bob The QB and Cane Ridge hooked up through taxing early fractions of
26.3 - 55.2. As they fanned out for home, Mattador D was fed racetrack by
his young driver and rolled on by the tiring speed for the win. Highland Boreas
was second and Astreos Flash snuck though for third. Mattador D races out of
the Brad Irvine barn for owner Carly Roman. The win was one of three on
the card for Meadowlands rising star Joe Bongiorno.
The series continues with leg
two next Friday and concludes on Saturday, March 22 with the $47,650 final.
Live handle showed a 37-percent
increase on the card compared to 2013. Racing resumes with a 13-race
Friday card with post time at 7:15 P.M.
