By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – For a second
straight start, no one could go with Highalator at the Meadowlands.
The 5-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere-Higher
And Higher, who was an easy winner in his Big M seasonal debut a week ago at
the tough non-winners of $17,500 level in 1:50.2, was even better Saturday
night, bumping up in class yet managing to still be a dominant force in the
Preferred for pacers, which for the first time since multiple increases at the
Meadowlands, sported a purse of $30,000.
There were no fewer than four horses
that left the gate in the abbreviated six-horse field as Caviart Luca (post 6),
Shneonucrzydiamnd A (5) and K Ryan Bluechip (4) all were away alertly from the
outside, but Highalator protected his position from the rail and led into the
first turn, an advantage he would never relinquish.
Highalator, driven once again by
Rosecroft regular Richard Still, hit the quarter in a blazing :26.1, but Still
was then able to calm the Jenny Bier trainee as they hit the half in a
leisurely :55.4 while Shneonucrzydiamnd A sat the pocket, with Caviart Luca
third at the rail and K Ryan Bluechip inching his way toward the leader from
first-over.
But after a rated third fraction of
:28.2, neither Caviart Luca nor K Ryan Bluechip could mount a genuine threat,
and from there it was easy gravy for Highalator, who exploded home in :26 to
record a never-in-doubt 1¾-length win in 1:50.1. Caviart Luca finished second
with Shneonucrzydiamnd A third.
“He struggled a little bit this year
at Dover with sickness and tie-up issues,” said Bier. “He just loves the
Meadowlands. He got an aggressive drive, which is what he needed. He’s as good
now as he’s ever been. He’ll get next week off – well deserved – and then we’ll
go from there. He’ll probably come back to the Meadowlands.”
Highalator paid $3.20 to win as the
odds-on favorite and now has three wins in 10 starts this year. Lifetime, he
has 24 victories from just 56 outings (43 percent) and earnings of $329,028 for
owners Jenny Bier, Joann Dombeck and Midsize Construction.
BURNING UP THE TRACK: Wheels On Fire went the fastest mile
of the year at the Meadowlands in his seasonal debut as the 4-year-old gelded
son of Somebeachsomewhere-Ab Fab made the lead while parked at the half in :54
before pacing his back half in :55.1 on the way to a hard-fought win over a
fast-closing Hudson Phil in 1:49.1 as the 1-5 public choice in a non-winners of
$17,500 pace.
Yannick Gingras drove the Ron Burke
trainee to his sixth straight win dating back to last year.
WHITTEMORE’S WILD WINNING WEEKEND: After winning a pair of races Friday
night, the duo of driver Jimmy Whittemore and trainer Marissa Chadbourne – who were
both making their respective Big M debuts this year – completed their tag-team
trifecta with 2-1 favorite Major Leaguer in the first race Saturday.
A LITTLE MORE: Marcus Miller drove three winners on
the card while Corey Callahan and Dexter Dunn had two apiece. … The fifth race
20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five failed to result in a single-ticket winner,
upping the carryover to $73,387.54. … All-source wagering totaled $2,773,762. …
Racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m.
