By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Preppy Art had
been a machine of late, winning six in a row heading into the Toys For Tots
Final for $7,500 claiming pacers at the Meadowlands Thursday night.
It appears Forevernalways didn’t read
the press clippings.
The 5-year-old Forevernalways, a gelded
son of Always A Virgin-Jnb N Me, rushed up to challenge Preppy Art on the far
turn before cruising by on the way to a 4¼-length win in a lifetime-best 1:51.
It was apparent during the wagering
that Preppy Art, who was making his sixth straight start in a different barn,
would not be the post-time favorite, but as the 2-1 second choice, he fired
away from the gate to the lead and cut out a :27.3 quarter before a :55.2 half.
Forevernalways vacated the three-hole
approaching the far turn after Preppy Art hit three-quarters in 1:24 and made a
bold move to poke a head in front with three-sixteenths of a mile to go. From
there, the Kenneth Tisa trainee drew off with Dave Miller doing the driving
during an explosive final quarter of :26.4 to win for fun. Walks Of Life was
second, with Preppy Art third.
Forevernalways, who paid $4.60 to win
as the 6-5 favorite, was claimed for a third consecutive start, this time by
Izzy Estrada. Preppy Art, who was claimed for a sixth consecutive outing, left
the track on Bruce Lauer’s trailer.
There were two other Toys For Tots
Finals on the program. JB’s Shooting Star (Yannick Gingras driving) ran her win
streak to three by taking the Fillies and Mares TrackMaster 77 or less Pace in
1:53 as the 4-5 public choice while Broadway Promise (Dave Miller) hit the wire
first in 1:54.3 in the Non-Winners of $3,500 Pace at odds of 8-1.
LARRY THE LIP: The always entertaining Larry
Lederman called the Thursday night races, and as usual he provided some quips
that are rarely heard:
·
“Feel The Muscle is coming and so is Christmas.”
·
“This could be long-term parking, just like at the airport.”
·
“And the car leaves at 40 miles an hour, and there’s R M Blackhawk going
about 38.”
A LITTLE
MORE: Dave Miller and Andy Miller were the driving stars of the night with
three winners each while Andy McCarthy had two. Those three drivers accounted
for eight of the 10 winners on the card. … One player – wagering into the
Midlantic hub – had the lone ticket to last all eight legs in the 20-cent
Survivor Pick-8 and collected $6,183. … Favorites won seven times on the
program. … All-source handle totaled $956,383. … Racing resumes Friday at 7:15
p.m.
