By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Heading into
Saturday night’s featured $28,000 Preferred for pacers at The Meadowlands,
American History had won two in a row by a combined 10¼ lengths, and while the
veteran earner of over $1.1 million might have been bumping up in class, the
narrative remained the same.
On a night where the feels-like
temperature was 30 degrees with a stiff wind into the horses faces in the
stretch, American History upped his win streak to three with a powerhouse
1:48.4 performance.
“He had a terrible bunch of bad luck
this summer,” said winning trainer Tony Alagna. “But we thought he was coming
around in his last few starts. He’s been in spots where he can use his speed.
We worked hard on that. He trained well off the pace as well, so he can do
that, too.”
All night long the track played to
speed in a big way, so there was no need for the 2019 Breeders Crown champion
to race from behind.
This Is The Plan, with his impressive
lifetime bankroll of $1.7 million, was sent to the gate as the 3-5 public
choice. He showed high speed from the start, as did American History, Harambe
Deo and Western Joe.
Grabbing the top at the opening
quarter while parked was This Is The Plan, but only led briefly, as American
History wrestled the lead away from the chalk as he sprinted the second quarter
in :26.4 to hit the half in :54.1.
Around the far turn, driver Andy
McCarthy asked American History for more, and he responded by opening a
1½-length edge on the pocket-sitter at three-quarters in 1:21.
Through the stretch, American History
would have to deal with This Is The Plan after that one popped the pocket
inside the eighth pole. But as the pair neared the wire, American History had
little trouble holding sway to score by a half-length. Western Joe was
third.
A 5-year-old son of American
Ideal-Perfect Touch who is owned by Brad Grant, American History paid $7.20 as
the second choice in the betting to up his lifetime stats to 21 wins from just
58 starts and earnings of $1,172,753.
“We are going to pick and choose his
starts in the weeks ahead,” said Alagna. “We are not opposed to racing him
[during the winter] a little bit. He can go with the best horses when he’s on
his game.”
MEET-HIGH HANDLE: Wagering was vigorous from start to
finish on the 13-race card, as a total of $2,894,040 was bet on the program, a
Fall-Meet best. … 50-cent Pick-4 action was fast and furious as the two
“signature” mile-oval wagers saw total action of $170,822. … A carryover of
$6,205 fueled a total pool in the 20-cent Pick-6 of $51,741, the fourth consecutive
Saturday that saw a P6 carryover. Those with six winners cashed in for
$1,469.58.
A LITTLE MORE: George Napolitano Jr. continued his
winning ways at the meeting by scoring three times on the card. He made a big
move to the lead at the half with Ruthless Hanover in the ninth race high-end
conditioned pace on the way to a dominant 5¼-score in 1:48.4, pacing the
night’s fastest mile until American History stopped the clock in the same time
23 minutes later. … McCarthy equaled Napolitano by visiting the winner’s circle
three times. … Racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m.
