By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Since
returning from a four-week layoff on Jan. 25, Resita has been on a roll for
trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras. Friday night, the 5-year-old
gelded son of Manofmanymissions-Winkys Magik won his third straight, scoring in
the $15,750 conditioned trotting feature at the Meadowlands.
Resita, who defeated non-winners of
$5,000 and non-winners of $8,500 in his last two outings, respectively, took on
one-rung below the Preferred Handicap types on Friday – the non-winners of
$15,000 class – and passed the test with flying colors.
The formful Derf
Hanover was away quickly from post eight and had the lead at the quarter in
:27.2. Resita rolled past that foe and had the point at the half in :56.4 as
Pappy Go Go came after the leader and continued to press the issue at
three-quarters in 1:24.4.
The eventual winner shrugged
off Pappy Go Go turning for home, but the horse Pappy towed into contention –
25-1 longshot Nows The Moment – tipped off cover and came after Resita. Nows
The Moment was in position to pull off the upset, but as he inched to almost
even with Resita in deep stretch, he went off stride, and Resita went on to a
1½-length win in a lifetime-best 1:53.1. Nows The Moment finished second, but
was disqualified and placed fourth for being lapped on break to two other
horses - Two Am and Derf Hanover - who were declared the official second- and
third-place finishers, respectively.
As the lukewarm 5-2
favorite, Resita returned $7.40 to win and stayed perfect in three starts this year.
He’s owned by Andrea Lea Racingstables and ASA Farm. Lifetime, he’s won nine of
48 outings and banked $107,664.
A LITTLE MORE: Gingras’ remarkable February continued as the
39-year-old scored four times on the card, giving him 27 wins in 61 starts this
month. … A simulcast player in Montreal was the only bettor to last seven legs
in the 20-Cent Survivor Pick-10 and walked away with $15,161. … Marcus Miller,
Corey Callahan and Dexter Dunn all recorded driving doubles. … All-source
wagering totaled $2,661,109. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m. Tuxedo Bay
seeks his third straight win in the weekly pacing feature, the $21,000
Preferred Handicap.
