Constntlysidewys A threw a monkey wrench into the machine, going a big mile for owner-trainer Tahnee Camilleri and scoring as the 9-2 fourth choice in the $21,000 Preferred Handicap Pace at the Meadowlands on Saturday, Jan. 12.
The race saw plenty of action as New Talent was the leader at the quarter before K Ryan Bluechip, the 5-2 second choice, came calling to poke a nose in front at the half before assuming the front. Tuxedo Bay ripped out of the three hole shortly thereafter to grab the lead at the three-quarters as Constntlysidewys A advanced from first over. At this point, 2-1 favourite Geez Joe was last in the field of seven sitting third over.
Through the stretch, 15-1 Tuxedo Bay stubbornly clung to the lead as Constntlysidewys A continued to chip away at his advantage. Not until deep stretch did Constntlysidewys A get past that foe, winning by a hard-fought head in 1:50.1 for driver Dexter Dunn. Geez Joe kicked home in :27 but finished an unthreatening third with Mindtrip fourth. K Ryan Bluechip faded to fifth.
Constntlysidewys A, an eight-year-old gelded son of Village Jasper-Miscilla, paid $11.60 to win. Lifetime, he has 26 wins from 102 starts and a bank account of $169,117.
A LITTLE MORE: A meet-best $109,617 poured into the 50-Cent Pick-4 pool and despite favourites winning the last two legs of the bet, it returned $11,646.50 after a 14-1 and an 80-1 hit the wire first in the initial two legs.
Driver Dexter Dunn got a big leg up on possibly being named the Big M’s “Driver of the Week”. The New Zealand native, after winning three times on Friday, added four more scores on the Saturday card, finishing with seven victories over the course of the two-card race week.
All-source handle on the 14 races totaled $2,704,027, meaning wagering has exceeded $2.5 million for five consecutive programs.
The always entertaining Larry Lederman called the Saturday race card.
Racing resumes Friday, Jan. 18 at 7:15 p.m.
(With files from the Meadowlands)