By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Western Joe
proved once again why he is top dog at the Meadowlands Saturday night, winning
the featured $20,000 Preferred Handicap for pacers for a fourth time in six
tries this year.
Sent to the gate as the 3-5 public
choice, Western Joe was away third around the first turn but was quickly moved
to the outside by driver Jim Marohn Jr. as the pair made the top and hit the
quarter in :27.3. A sleepy second quarter devoid of movement followed, allowing
the favorite to reach the half in :55.4.
Rodeo Romeo and 5-2 second-choice
Bettor’s Edge, who won this race a week ago when Western Joe took the night
off, tried to mount challenges at the top of the stretch, but Western Joe was
in high gear through the lane, sprinting the final quarter in :26.2 to record a
safe half-length win in 1:50.4 over a sharp Rodeo Romeo. Artful Way was third.
“I was very happy with the trip,”
said winning trainer Chris Choate. “I wanted to see him on the lead. He doesn’t
like to get beat. He’s getting more mature and I’m very proud of him.”
Western Joe returned $3.40 to his
backers for owner Anthony Ruggeri and has won five of seven starts this year.
Lifetime, the 4-year-old son of Western Ideal has won 14 of 36 and earned
$216,548.
A LITTLE MORE: Showing no rust in his first weekend
back on the track after an extended family vacation, driver Andrew McCarthy
followed up his driving double Friday with a four-bagger Saturday. … Chalk
players had their way on the program, as eight public choices scored on the
12-race card. … In the Early 20-Cent Jackpot Super High Five (Race 9), 3-5
favorite Maajaackkobe hit the wire first, and that suited the player with the
only winning ticket just fine, as $14,365 was the payoff. … There was no
single-ticket winner in the Late 20-Cent JSH5 (Race 12), raising the
pot-of-gold carryover to $148,306. … All-source wagering totaled $2,162,363. …
Racing resumes at the Big M Friday. Don’t forget that post time will be 7:15
p.m.
