By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – With most of
the front-line Meadowlands drivers competing on the North America Cup card,
Saturday night provided an opportunity for others to shine at the Big M, and
none shone brighter than Freehold regular ‘Irish’ Joe Hanney, who guided a pair
of longshots to victory lane.
Hanney’s first score came in the
fifth race, as he guided Village Jackson to a lifetime-best 1:51.1 score in a
claiming handicap pace. In his last five starts with claimers, Village Jackson
had been no worse than fourth, and this time around, the 11-year-old gelding
prevailed at odds of 55-1, topping an Exacta that paid $694.40, a Trifecta that
came back $5,275.00 and the 50-Cent Pick-5, which returned a whopping
$15,266.00.
But he had more damage to do.
In the very next race, Hanney was at
it again, this time in a pace for horses who had a TrackMaster rating of 80 or
less, scoring with In Rock We Trust in a lifetime-best 1:51.1 at odds of 30-1.
The Exacta returned $899.40 and Trifecta $3,603.40.
Hanney also trains both horses.
For Hanney fans who played a $2 win
parlay, their return was a handsome $3,636.
Delaware-circuit regular Mike Cole
also had a driving double on the program, as did Big M regular Andy Miller.
Corey Callahan had a second straight superb Saturday by winning four times.
Last week, Callahan visited the winner’s circle on six occasions.
A LITTLE MORE: 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five players
have much to look forward to Friday night. The fifth race JSH5 failed to result
in a single-ticket winner, upping the carryover to $113,204.60. … All-source
handle on the 13-race card totaled $2,614,953. … Racing resumes Friday at 7:15
p.m.
