Amid the bitter cold and falling snow, Bettor Sweet unleashed a stakes record 1:49.4 mile in the $63,500 Oil Burner Final Saturday night at the Meadowlands.
Valentowner led the field through brisk opening fractions of 26.4 and 54.3, before Bettor Sweet and driver Cat Manzi took command on the final turn and drew off to a 4 3/4-length win in the sixth race. Bettor Sweet paid $3.40 as he completed a sweep of the three-week Oil Burner Series and eclipsed Panaramic Art's 2007 stakes record of 1:51.1. Rocknroll Band and Stretch Artist tracked the winner to finish second and third, respectively.
Bettor Sweet, trained by Joe Poliseno, has won nine of 17 starts this season and $314,427. He also captured the $390,000 Progress Pace at Dover Downs last month. John Cancelliere of Clark, New Jersey purchased the three-year-old son of Bettors Delight-Sweet Future privately for $175,000 in September. Joe Caraluzzi previously trained the gelding.
Four Starz Melody upset the field in the $51,000 Snow Angel Final for fillies, Race 7. Driven by Daniel Dube, Four Starz Melody seized the lead past the half and pulled away to a 2 1/2-length tally over EQ Three in 1:52.2. Ramona Disomma, the favorite, rallied from ninth at the top of the stretch to finish third.
Trained by Vincent Fusco Jr., Four Starz Melody notched her ninth win in 17 starts this season. The daughter of Sealed N Delivered-Musical Tone is owned by Four Starzzzz Stable of Hauppauge, New York.
In other action, Prize Art overcame the outside Post 8 to win the $24,000 Preferred Pace for his new connections trainer Aaron Lambert and owner Richard Poillucci of Stoughton, Massachusetts.
The three-year-old son of Party At Arts Place and driver Ron Pierce got away fourth as Four Starz Bling (Dave Miller) took the early lead. After the :27.4 opening panel, Prize Art made his winning move advancing swiftly to the lead. The 3-1 second choice lead the field past the :56.1 half-mile marker and the three-quarters in 1:23.2. The 6-5 favourite, Allstar Blue Jean (Andy Miller), launched a first-over challenge but Prize Art finished strong winning in 1:50.4.
Allstar Blue Jean finished one and a half length back in second and Four Starz Bling was third.
The win was number 15 for the black gelding, who has earned just over $140,000 in his career.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.
(With files from NJSEA)
Terrific horse and a GREAT
Terrific horse and a GREAT PHOTOGRAPH!