Preppy Art had been a machine of late, winning six-in-a-row heading into the Toys For Tots Final for $7,500 claiming pacers at the Meadowlands Thursday night.
It appears Forevernalways didn’t read the press clippings.
The five-year-old Forevernalways, a gelded son of Always A Virgin-Jnb N Me, rushed up to challenge Preppy Art on the far turn before cruising by on the way to a 4-1/4 length win in a lifetime-best 1:51.
It was apparent during the wagering that Preppy Art, who was making his sixth straight start in a different barn, would not be the post-time favourite, but as the 2-1 second choice, he fired away from the gate to the lead and cut out a :27.3 quarter before a :55.2 half.
Forevernalways vacated the three-hole approaching the far turn after Preppy Art hit three-quarters in 1:24 and made a bold move to poke a head in front with three-sixteenths of a mile to go. From there, the Kenneth Tisa trainee drew off with Dave Miller doing the driving during an explosive final quarter of :26.4 to win for fun. Walks Of Life was second, with Preppy Art third.
Forevernalways, who paid $4.60 to win as the 6-5 favourite, was claimed for a third consecutive start, this time by Izzy Estrada. Preppy Art, who was claimed for a sixth consecutive outing, left the track on Bruce Lauer’s trailer.
There were two other Toys For Tots Finals on the program. JBs Shooting Star (Yannick Gingras driving) ran her win streak to three by taking the Fillies and Mares TrackMaster 77 or less Pace in 1:53 as the 4-5 public choice while Broadway Promise (Dave Miller) hit the wire first in 1:54.3 in the Non-Winners of $3,500 Pace at odds of 8-1.
(With files from Meadowlands)