EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Barimah A and
Apple Bottom Jeans were the big winners as the Meadowlands hosted a pair of
series finals on Saturday night.
Barimah A used a quick burst of speed
to grab the top at the quarter in :27 in the $53,500 Whata Baron for horses and
geldings on the pace. He hit the half in a rated :55 as Phoenix Warrior N was
making progress on the outside before the pair duked it out through a
lightning-fast third fraction of :26.1 as Barimah A maintained a length
advantage at the top of the stretch.
From there, the 8-year-old gelded son
of Bettor’s Delight paced his final quarter in :28 as pocket-sitting Windsong
Leo was desperate for racing room along the pylons. At the wire, Barimah A
would prevail by a neck over Windsong Leo with Phoenix Warrior N holding on for
third.
The winner completed the mile in
1:49.1 – the fastest of the year at the Big M – and paid $5.00 to win as the
favorite for driver Andy Miller, trainer Scott Di Domenico and owners Brian
Carsey, John McGill and Adrian Friedland.
In the $54,500 Burning Point, Apple
Bottom Jeans completed a sweep of the series for pacing mares, following up her
two convincing preliminary scores with a half-length victory over Valuable Art
in 1:50.2. Princess Fabulosa was third.
Driver Victor Kirby brushed Apple
Bottom Jeans to the top at the three-eighths before having to yield to a
headstrong Windsun Glory just before the half. Valuable Art, who had drawn post
10, was up to challenge the leader at three-quarters with Apple Bottom Jeans
continuing to sit the two hole.
In deep stretch, Apple Bottom Jeans
found some space along the inside and the Kevin Switzer trainee exploded home
once clear to run her Big M win streak to three. As the 2-5 public choice, she
paid $2.80 to win for owners KDK Standardbreds. The 5-year-old daughter of Mr
Apples now has 18 wins from 43 career starts and earnings of $477,224.
A LITTLE MORE: Bettor’s Edge defeated arch-rival
Western Joe in the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for pacers, completing the mile
in 1:50 and paying $11.20 to win. … Miller and Kirby both recorded driving
triples on the card. … The 20-Cent Survivor Pick-10 pool reached a new all-time
high, as $25,788 was poured into the pot with two winners each walking away
with $12,244 for surviving seven legs. … The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super
High-Five wager has now reached a milestone, as the carryover now stands at
$200,837. … All-source wagering on the 10-race program was $2,048,556. … Racing
resumes at the Meadowlands Friday at 7:15 p.m.
