For a second straight night, Andy McCarthy ruled the Meadowlands.
The 33-year-old native of Australia followed up his five-winner Friday with another five-bagger on Saturday night (Dec. 28). All told, when adding the two victories McCarthy had Thursday, he had one dozen winner’s circle visits over the course of the three-card race week at the Big M.
On Saturday, McCarthy got his night underway with Jims Perfect Ten in the second race, scoring in 1:51.4 as the 4-5 favourite in a low-end conditioned pace. McCarthy and Duddies Lor overcame post 10 to take the fourth in 1:51 (a lifetime best) as the 9-5 second choice in a non-winners of four pace.
McCarthy then finished with a flourish, winning three straight. He scored in Race 8 with 2-1 public choice Drawing Dragons in 1:50.3 in a high-end conditioned pace, Race 9 in a mid-range conditioned pace with 6-5 favourite Odds On Lauderdale from post 10 in 1:52.3, before capping his big night – with his biggest price – by scoring in Race 10 with 7-1 fourth-choice Reagans Avenger in wire-to-wire fashion from post 9 in 1:51.2 in a TrackMaster 85.5 or less pace.
NEW HANDLE HIGH: Andy McCarthy’s hands were on fire this weekend, and so were those of the Meadowlands’ faithful, who bet with both of their's early and often on the Saturday card, establishing a new Fall Meeting handle high of $2,913,163.
The previous best of $2,907,339 was set on Friday.
A LITTLE MORE: On a night that saw big pools, it’s no surprise that the 50-cent Pick-4 had a huge one. A total of $107,485 was poured into the pot, only $3,000 or so less than the previous Fall Meet best of $110,502, which was established on Nov. 23.
Joe Bongiorno and Pat Berry both had driving doubles.
Once again, the 20-cent Survivor Pick-10 played out like a jackpot wager, as one shrewd player wagering into the Catskills hub held the lone ticket to last eight legs and walked away with $8,659.
Racing resumes Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7:15 p.m.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)