Donato Patriot K showed some good recent form heading into the $25,000 high-end conditioned trotting feature at The Meadowlands on Friday night and driver Dave Miller supplied a pair of red-hot hands on a five-win night as the duo teamed up to record an easy 2-1/2-length win in 1:53.
The race did not pan out as expected, when 3-5 favourite Lexus Kody, off a win at this level 14 days ago as the 1-2 public choice, did not mind his manners. He was away slowly before going off stride approaching the half after racing in sixth, the fourth time in his last five starts that he made a break.
That left Donato Patriot K, the 7-5 second choice, as the one to beat.
'Donato' went a three-hole trip and Miller provided perfect piloting with the six-year-old gelded son of Donato Hanover-Baby American on a night when the front end was not the place to be.
Dejerate Hanover was the leader past the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:24 after wrestling the top away from Mon Amour, who, in search of a third straight score, hit the quarter in :27.3.
On the far turn, Outside The Fire was racing on the rim uncovered as Donato Patriot K vacated the three-hole and picked up that live tow. With about an eighth-of-a-mile to go, Miller swung the Joe Bongiorno trainee three-wide before streamrolling his way to victory lane. Outside The Fire held second with Mon Amour third.
“He’s just a very game horse, who, when he’s feeling his best, puts out an A+ effort,” said Bongiorno, “and that was good enough to take down some really highly regarded horses tonight.”
Owned by the Ely Stable, Donato Patriot K returned $4.80 to his backers as he recorded his 26th career win from 117 starts and pushed his earnings to $335,889.
Bongiorno finished the night with four winners to lead the trainer colony.
Dexter Dunn was a close second to Miller with four driving wins.
The 20-cent Pick-6 went unhit, creating a carryover of $4,810 for Saturday. Those with five correct collected $72.88.
All-source handle on the 14-race card totaled $2,710,949 USD.
Racing resumes on Saturday at 6:20 p.m. when $2.57 million USD in purses will be up for grabs on Fall Four/FanDuel Championships Night, the final major race card on the Big M's 2024 harness racing calendar.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)