By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Geez Joe was
back at his favorite track, and for a third straight start he was victorious at
the Meadowlands, this time taking the Friday night feature, the $20,000
Preferred Handicap for pacers, in 1:48.3.
The Erv Miller trainee beat
non-winners of $8,500 on November 17 by seven lengths in a lifetime-best 1:48.1
before following that up with a 1-length win facing non-winners of $15,000 in
1:49 one week later.
A trip to Maryland’s Rosecroft Raceway
would follow on Dec. 2, and things did not go well in the $100,000 Potomac, as
Geez Joe went off stride just after the start.
Then, it was time for a Big M return.
Driver Marcus Miller had Geez Joe on
the go from the start, and the pair hit the quarter in :27.3. Tact Tate N, the
9-5 second choice, popped out of the four-hole soon thereafter and rushed to
the top as the half was reached in :54.4.
K Ryan Bluechip, who was so impressive
a week ago in taking his second straight at the Big M, now came calling first
over, but could never get on even terms with the leader as three-quarters went
in 1:22.
Tact Tate N was good, but Geez Joe
was better. In deep stretch, Marcus Miller found room along the pylons, and
Geez Joe responded with some explosive pace to win by 1¾ lengths over Tact Tate
N. K Ryan Bluechip was third.
The winner, a 4-year-old gelded son
of Roll With Joe-Beach Bretta, scored as the 4-5 public choice and returned $3.80
to his backers. He’s won eight of 24 starts this season, while lifetime, he has
16 victories in 52 tries and a bankroll of $213,558 for owners Bay Pond Racing
Stable.
NO RACING SATURDAY: With the New York Jets hosting the
Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium, there will be no live racing at the
Meadowlands on Saturday, Dec. 15. Live racing resumes Thursday, Dec. 20 at 7:15
p.m.
A LITTLE MORE: It was another night for the chalk
players, as after post-time favorites went eight-for-10 on Thursday (Dec. 13),
six more public choices scored on the 12-race Friday card. … Andy McCarthy won
three times on the program, upping his meet-leading driver win total to 34.
McCarthy and his family are now heading to their homeland of Australia for a
long vacation. McCarthy said he’ll be back in February or March. … All-source
wagering on the card totaled $2,125,258. … Favorites won more than usual, but
that did not stop those holding winning Pick-5 ($801.95), Pick-4 ($460.40) and
Survivor Pick-10 ($6,955) tickets from cashing nice payoffs.
