Blatantly Good went to work on Presidential Series champion Golden Receiver down the backstretch and wore down the streaking pacer to start his own winning run in the $30,000 Invitational Pace on Saturday at the Meadowlands Racetrack
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Looking to extend his streak to seven, the popular Golden Receiver (Brian Sears) fired to command from the inside post position and put up a speedy :26.2 opening panel. However, the Ron Pierce-driven Blatantly Good, beaten third by a neck in the Presidential final and a 1:49.4 winner last time out in overnight action, launched a first over attack from fourth just before the field reached the half in :55.3.
Advancing steadily, Blatantly Good was up alongside the leader by the next marker in 1:23.4 and continued to apply pressure into the lane. The pair battled on top for most of the stretch, but Blatantly Good eventually wore his rival down and kicked clear by two lengths for the 1:50.2 triumph. The pocket-sitting Warning Zone (Dave Miller) edged out Golden Receiver for second.
Blatantly Good paid $7 to win as the 5-2 second choice. The Albert Albert-Lifeline eight-year-old is trained by P.J. Fraley for owner Bamond Racing LLC of Brick, New Jersey. The win was his second (consecutive) in six starts this year and 45th lifetime, pushing his career bankroll over the $900,000 mark.
Pierce, a five-time winner on the 13-race card, helped trainer Jimmy Takter to a hat trick with Grams Legacy ($3.60) and the maiden-breaking Arts Ideal Hanover ($2.80) going back-to-back in the first two races. Dave Miller completed the Takter triple driving Great Vintage ($17) two races later. Pierce also picked up wins with Freddy Day Hanover ($11) for trainer Taylor Gower and Abelard Hanover ($4.80) for Justin Hite.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Meadowlands Racetrack.