Historically, the Meadowlands is a track where a horse can win from well off the pace, but Alotbettor N took that to an extreme in taking the featured high-range conditioned pace at the Big M Saturday night.
Bushwacker, the 9-2 third choice in the wagering, was on the point from the start to the head of the stretch, but nearing three-quarters there was a live flow coming after the leader with the train being led by 2-1 favourite and Dover Downs-shipper Penzance Hanover.
Driver Vinny Ginsburg had Alotbettor N in the flow but had much to do since he was seventh in the eight-horse field with a quarter-mile to go racing fourth over. However Ginsburg steered Alotbettor N to the outside for the stretch drive and the pair fired home in :27 to record a half-length win over McThriller. Stonedust finished third.
“Alotbettor is such an honest horse,” said winning trainer Jenn Bongiorno. “And he absolutely loves it when we bring him back to the Big M. I wasn’t surprised at all how he won the race because I know he loves to come from off the pace and never gives up.”
Alotbettor N returned $16.60 to win as the fifth choice in the wagering after completing the mile in a lifetime-best 1:49.3. For his career, the eight-year-old gelded son of Bettors Delight-Falcons Flybye has won 25-of-88 starts and banked $259,415 for owners Joe Bongiorno, Howard Taylor and Thomas Lazzaro.
On the driving side of things, Yannick Gingras had what for him is a typical night at the salt mine, visiting the winner’s circle four times on the 13-race program.
Gingras scored with McClinchie N ($3.80 to win as the favourite) in 1:51.3 in the first-race conditioned pace, Blacklight ($3.80 as the favourite) in 1:52.2 in the fourth race for pacers who were non-winners of two, Spaghetti Eddie ($9.20 as the third choice) in 1:51.3 in the 11th-race conditioned pace before capping his night off with U F Rockin Dragon ($4.40 as the favourite) in 1:52.1 in the 12th-race conditioned pace.
A LITTLE MORE: One lucky simulcast player betting into the Catskills hub was the holder of the only ticket that lasted six legs in the 20-Cent Survivor Pick-10 and was rewarded with a payout of $14,376.
Ginsburg, Andy Miller and Dexter Dunn all had driving doubles while Nick Surick trained a pair of winners.
The 50-Cent Pick 4 pool saw $108,946 in bets. Those who had 28-1 shot Mach N Cheese in the first leg and then went on to cash collected a hefty $3,874.
All-source wagering totaled $2,782,432.
Racing resumes Friday, April 12 at 7:15 p.m.
(with files from Meadowlands)