By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – For a second
straight night, Andy McCarthy ruled the Meadowlands.
The 33-year-old native of Australia
followed up his five-winner Friday with another five-bagger Saturday night. All
told, when you add in the two victories McCarthy had Thursday, you end up with
one dozen winner’s circle visits over the course of the three-card race week at
the Big M.
On Saturday, McCarthy got his night
underway with Jims Perfect Ten in the second race, scoring in 1:51.4 as the 4-5
favorite in a low-end conditioned pace. McCarthy and Duddie’s Lor overcame post
10 to take the fourth in 1:51 (a lifetime best) as the 9-5 second choice in a
non-winners of four pace.
Andy Mac then finished with a
flourish, winning three straight, scoring in race eight with 2-1 public choice
Drawing Dragons in 1:50.3 in a high-end conditioned pace, race nine in a
mid-range conditioned pace with 6-5 favorite Odds On Lauderdale from post 10 in
1:52.3, before capping his big night – with his biggest price – by scoring in
race 10 with 7-1 fourth-choice Reagan’s Avenger in wire-to-wire fashion from
post nine in 1:51.2 in a TrackMaster 85.5 or less pace.
NEW HANDLE HIGH: Andy McCarthy’s hands were on fire
this weekend, and so were those of the Meadowlands’ faithful, who bet with both
of their's early and often on the Saturday card, establishing a new Fall
Meeting handle high of $2,913,163.
The previous best of $2,907,339 was
set on Friday.
A LITTLE MORE: On a night that saw big pools, it’s
no surprise that the 50-cent Pick-4 had a huge one. A total of $107,485 was
poured into the pot, only $3,000 or so less than the previous Fall Meet best of
$110,502, which was established on Nov. 23. … Joe Bongiorno and Pat Berry both
had driving doubles. … Once again, the 20-cent Survivor Pick-10 played out like
a jackpot wager, as one shrewd player wagering into the Catskills hub held the
lone ticket to last eight legs and walked away with $8,659. … Racing resumes
Thursday at 7:15 p.m.
