Driver and Canada's own Scott Zeron is known as “The Money Man,” and fans of the 33-year-old pilot had plenty of green in their pockets at the conclusion of the Saturday night (Jan. 21) card at The Meadowlands.
Zeron got his four-win night underway guiding 8-5 favourite – and New Zealand import – Vespa N to his first win in North America. The Erv Miller trainee stopped the clock in 1:51.2.
Dontlikeitleave was win No. 2, as the Jared Cooper trainee shrugged off a bump up in class from $28,000 claimers to the $50,000 level and took the seventh in 1:51.2 as the 2-1 second choice.
Then, Zeron’s fans started to party.
Urban Renewal took the eighth race at odds of 19-1 for trainer Mike Watson in 1:51, a lifetime-best despite the chilly 37-degree conditions, before Zeron completed his four-pack with another double-digit score, 12-1 chance Dance It Out, who completed the mile in a lifetime-best 1:50.4 for trainer Bill Mac Kenzie in the 12th dash.
BIG PICK-6 PAYOUT: With a double carryover of $22,246 motivating the players to pour $83,124 of “new money” into the pot, a grand total of $105,370 was up for grabs in the 20-cent Pick-6. With Zeron’s bombs providing the biggest challenges during the sequence, those with winning tickets collected $16,891.
A PAIR OF EIGHTS FOR OTTEN: Jessica Otten enjoyed picking eight winners on top eight days ago so much that the Big M – and Fox Sports – TV talent picked eight on top again on the 14-race program.
The “Red-Hot Ott” had her fans cashing all night long, as a $20 bet on her selections netted a profit of $314. She saved her best for last, tabbing Walknafter Midnite ($9.20) in the 13th and Rockabilly Charm ($15.80) in the 14th for the ice-cold Late Daily Double ($77.80).
THE JOY OF SIX: All-source handle totaled $3,088,731, keeping the Big M’s streak alive of betting at least $3 million on a program.
This year, there have been six cards conducted at the mile oval, with each eclipsing the $3-million plateau. Business is booming as compared to last year. During 2022, betting did not top $3 million for the sixth time until April 2nd, the 23rd program of the year.
A LITTLE MORE: Andy McCarthy was next in line behind Zeron, guiding three to the winner’s circle. Tyler Buter recorded two victories.
The competitive racing has people who don’t like betting favourites loving life, as only seven public choices have scored over the last 28 races (25 percent).
Racing resumes Sunday (Jan. 23) at 12:30 p.m. (EST), the first of two consecutive Sunday afternoon cards.
(The Meadowlands)