Richard Poillucci knew what he was doing when he purchased nine-year-old gelding Christen Me N earlier this year, and after taking the featured $20,000 Preferred Handicap at the Meadowlands Saturday night, everything appears to be all systems go for the upcoming season.
“He came out of the race really well,” said Joann Looney-King, who trains the horse along with her husband, Jim King, Jr. “Everything is real good. We were just talking about the fact that Wiggle It Jiggleit is coming back (next year) and we would love to take him on.”
Christen Me N sat a four-hole trip in the early stages. Driver Tim Tetrick got the 2015 New Zealand Horse of the Year in gear at the five-eighths, sailed past leader Sweet Rock on the far turn and coasted home in front in 1:50, three-quarters-of-a-length in front of Sweet Rock at the wire. Tullow N was third.
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As the 2-5 public choice, Christen Me N returned $2.80 to win, winning his fourth straight and 38th overall from only 79 starts.
“We are putting him back in Thursday at Dover,” said Looney-King. “Even though we are trying not to over race him. I'm sure we won't do that very often.
“We are looking to race in all of the major older pacing stakes and then, at the end of the year, the Breeders Crown.”
A LITTLE MORE: Driver Jim Marohn Jr. stayed red-hot, winning four times on the card, capping a three-day race week that saw him visit the winner's circle nine times.
There were some big payoffs on the program as only three favorites visited victory lane. The 20-Cent Survivor Pick 10 returned $8,301.02 to two winners and the Late Pick 4 – which featured a 30-1 shot in the final leg – returned $20,607.95 for a 50 Cent ticket.
After not resulting in a single-ticket winner, the Late 20 Cent Jackpot Super Hi-5 carryover ballooned to $43,831.49.
All-source wagering totaled $2,284,134.
Racing resumes at the Big M Thursday at 7:15 p.m.
(With files from the Meadowlands Racetrack)