When it came to the Saturday night (Feb. 5) feature at The Meadowlands, it was the same story as the last time around.

When last contested on Jan. 22 (last week’s races were snowed out), the feature went to driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke with Covered Bridge in a minor upset at odds of 3-1. To spice things up a bit on the night of the track’s “Chili Cook-Off” contest, the dynamic duo – who currently but not surprisingly sit atop the driver and trainer standings – scored at 14-1 with Put To Right in the $27,500 high-end conditioned pace.

“His last few races have been good,” said Gingras. “I honestly thought he was in a little tough.”

Gingras blasted off at the start from post six in the nine-horse field (there was one scratch) and placed Put To Right on the point at the quarter in a brisk :27.2 on a chilly night that saw a real-feel temperature of 10 degrees.

“I was thinking I would race from behind but I fired him up a little bit at the gate,” said Gingras. “Tonight, he raced really well.”

No Lou Zing was up and after the leader shortly thereafter and grabbed the top, making it to the half in :55.4. A weak challenge from 4-5 favourite Vettel N would have no effect on the outcome as No Lou Zing reached three-quarters in 1:23.2 while Put To Right waited for his chance from the pocket.

“I had a lot of pace around the last turn,” said Gingras. “I popped the deuce and thought I’d go by him pretty easily.”

The 42-year-old Hall of Fame bound pilot had it right as Put To Right vacated the two-hole with just under an eighth-of-a-mile to go before going on to a safe neck win over a fast-closing Patrikthepiranha A. No Lou Zing was third. Vettel N wilted and finished eighth.

A five-year-old gelded son of Captaintreacherous-On The Catwalk, Put To Right, sent off at odds of 14-1 after a fourth-place finish with lesser foes in his last start, paid $31.40 as the fifth choice bumping up to the non-winners of $20,000 level. He’s now won 10-of-64 outings for owners Thomas R and Scott A Dillon and has earnings of $254,741.

Gingras would go on to tally five times on the program, giving him at least three winners on seven of the eight cards contested in 2022. Burke had three – all driven by Gingras – visit victory lane.

Over the last two Saturday programs, Gingras has 11 victories, with only three going off as the favourite.

CHILI CHAMPS CROWNED: Twenty cooks entered Meadowlands Racetrack’s Annual Chili Cook-Off Saturday night, all vying for the $2,850 in cash prizes and coveted spots in the International Chili Society’s 2022 World Championship.

Chili cook-off veteran and reigning ICS Veggie Chili World Champion Nathan Gramm of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania took home the $1,000 grand prize for his traditional red chili beating out 19 other competitors in the category. 

Amber Willis, a WCS veteran, finished in second place for her traditional red and took home $500 while Aaron Pollack took home $250 for third place.

Home cook and 2019 World Food Champion Rocky Julianelle from East Haven, Connecticut took home the $500 salsa grand prize.

Chris Johnson, an ICS final table judge, took home second place with her fruit inspired salsa and veteran competitor Judith Omerza took home the $250 third place prize.

Both the traditional red and salsa grand prize winners also qualified for the International Chili Society’s World 2022 Championships.

The $250 People’s Choice prize went to repeat champion, Rob Quinones.  

“It was another great event here at the Meadowlands Racetrack,” said Meadowlands General Manager and COO Jason M. Settlemoir. “It was great to see fans back in our building for both racing and our promotions.  Our chili event was a great sign of things to come in 2022.”

A LITTLE MORE: With Put To Right’s upset serving as the catalyst, there were no winning tickets sold in the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a carryover of $8,572 when racing resumes. Those with four correct collected $63.50.

Scott Zeron also had a nice night, piloting three winners.

All-source handle totalled $2,742,049, bringing total betting for the weekend to just over $5.1 million.

Racing resumes Friday, Feb. 11 at 6:20 p.m. (EST).

(With files from The Meadowlands)