Ignored on the tote board at 37-1, The Real One lived up to his name and pulled off the upset of night, winning the A-2/Free For All Handicap Pace with Scott Zeron.
Taken back early in the mile, The Real One was allowed to sit sixth, well off the strong pace set by the favourite Speed Again, that included a :26.1 opening quarter and a :54-second half mile. Brett Miller pulled Wake Up Peter to the outside approaching the half-mile pole and made a strong first-over bid from last, which allowed Scott Zeron to guide The Real One off the pylons and positioned himself just off the helmet of Brett Miller and Wake Up Peter.
Following his cover all the way to the top of the stretch, The Real One tipped off cover as the field passed the three-quarter pole in 1:22.2 and out-sprinted the field to the wire to score in 1:50.1. Wake Up Peter went a big first-over mile and dug in gamely to be second. Speed Again fought tenaciously to the wire as well to be third.
The entire field finished with two and one-half lengths of each other. The Real One established a new lifetime mark with his 1:50.1 timing for owner Helene Fillion and trainer Pat Lachance.
The most impressive effort on the racing program may have come from K Lees Shakenbake who emerged victorious in the eighth race C-1 pace. Sent off at 5-1, K Lees Shakenbake was last moving into the far turn and stacked up fourth over turning for home, some six lengths off the lead. Scott Zeron simply pulled on the right line and the moment his gelding saw racetrack his response was instantaneous, ripping through a :26-second final quarter to win going away in 1:51.2.
Among those left in his wake was the 3-1 favourite, Hurrikane Kingcole, making his first start in nearly 11 months for John McDermott. He raced well, making a strong first over move and finishing a solid second in his comeback. K Lees Shakenbake scored for trainer David M. Smith and owners Randall Bendis and Thomas Pollack.
Brick Bazooka, who is likely pointing toward winter late closer events, remained unbeaten in four starts winning the first race on the card, a non-winners of two pace. Sent off as the 1-9 favourite, Brick Bazooka and John Campbell took command nearing the open quarter and never looked back, leading through fractions of :27.2, :55.3 and 1:24.3, before tripping the timer in 1:53.1, equalling his lifetime mark. Ironbarbassy was second and Call Me Muddy was third.
The three-year-old gelded son of Another Mile is owned by James Henry Springer and raced out of the stable of Larry and Ray Remmen.
On the heels of his record-breaking night, Ron Burke kept his good fortunes rolling, earning two wins on the program. First, Bettor Than You took the B-2/B-1 Handicap pace. Initially sitting the pocket, Bettor Than You moved to the lead past the opening quarter and proceeded to dominate throughout the mile. Als Hammered rallied to finish second, with Lonewolf Currier third.
The winner is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Later on the card, Four Starzzz Z survived a speed duel through wild fractions of :27.2, :54.3 and 1:22.1 to capture a C-1 Pace for the Burke-Gingras connection completing the training double for Burke and giving Gingras his third winner of the night.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)
To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Meadowlands Racetrack.