By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – It was
another big Saturday night at the Meadowlands, as for the third time this year,
wagering surpassed the magic $3 million mark at the industry’s handle leader.
Betting was consistent throughout the
12-race card, with only one race failing to reach the $200,000 mark. The third
race saw the biggest pool of the night, $319,684, while the eighth was a close
second, at $318,041.
The total handle for the card was
$3,036,706, which works out to an average of $253,058 per race.
The other two $3 million nights came
on March 3, when betting was a 2018-high $3.45 million, and on March 24, when
$3.08 million was pushed through the windows.
BURKE THE BIG MAN: Ron Burke was the big man on campus
for the night, training four winners on the program, including two victories in
pacing series action.
Burke’s Windsong Leo was the
recipient of a perfect pocket trip from driver Jim Marohn Jr. on the way to
taking the first leg of the Whata Baron for horses and geldings who are
non-winners of six races.
The 6-year-old gelded son of Jereme’s
Jet won by three-quarters of a length over Barimah A, completed the mile in a
lifetime-best 1:50.2 and paid $5.00 to win as the public choice.
Betterhaveanother ($4.80 as the
second choice) scored for Burke in the second division of the first leg of the
Burning Point for fillies and mares (also NW of 6) with Brett Miller at the
controls. The 6-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight held off 6-5 favorite
Valuable Art by a head in 1:51.3.
Apple Bottom Jeans ($5.20 as the
second choice) took the opening division of the Burning Point with Delaware
regular Victor Kirby driving. The 5-year-old daughter of Mr Apples, trained by
Kevin Switzer, was 2½ lengths clear of Stormtracker at the finish in a lifetime-best
equaling 1:50.3. Even-money choice Windsun Glory was fourth.
A LITTLE MORE: When Rockinwiththebest scored in the
third race at odds of 33-1, the stage was set for a giant 50-Cent Pick-5
payoff. The bet spans races 3 through 7, and when the dust cleared, those
holding winning tickets walked away with a cool $21,359.40. … Leading driver
Marohn and Andrew McCarthy both drove three winners on the card. … Racing
resumes at the Big M Friday at 7:15 p.m.
