If you were wondering whether Ron Burke trainees could be bet with confidence off a layoff, wonder no more. The answer is a resounding “Yes!”
Burke, and his go-to driver Yannick Gingras, teamed up to win three times on the Friday card at the Meadowlands, all with horses who have been out of action for a while.
The potent pair got their evening underway in the third race trot for non-winners of $16,000 in their last five starts as 6-5 favourite Misslarose scored by a half-length in 1:54.4 after making the top at the half-mile marker. The five-year-old daughter of Majestic Son-Marion Chocolata qualified on January 19 but had not been in a pari-mutuel race since December 21.
Tearful Of Happy, a five-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Tear Drop, was next, overcoming post 10 and a 35-day layoff to storm home a 4-1/2-length winner in 1:53 in the fourth race fillies and mares non-winners of $3,500 pace as the even-money public choice for her third win in four starts.
Burke and Gingras capped their three-bagger in the eighth race non-winners of $5,000 trot with 8-5 second choice Resita, who had not been seen since December 28. The five-year-old gelded son of Manofmanymissions-Winkys Magik made a huge move on the far turn on the way to a 4-3/4-length score in 1:54.2.
Gingras would go on to another win on the card, but his fourth victory of the night would come for trainer Jules Czermann Jr. in the 10th race pace for $7,500 claimers with 3-1 third choice Pop Pop Joe, an eight-year-old gelding by Royal Mattjesty-Ashlees Way.
A LITTLE MORE: Wagering on the Big M’s signature bet, the 50-cent Pick-4, was vigorous as $100,658 was poured into the pot, the third time in 2019 that pool has reached six figures. … Driver Josert Fonseca and trainer Katie Remmerswaal teamed up to win the fifth race with 13-1 longshot Magic N Spice, and in the process, both registered their first-ever wins at the Big M. … All-source wagering on the 13-race card was $2,571,729. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)