The Sonsam Pacing Series attracted 20 entries for its first round of competition on Saturday night at The Meadowlands, split into two divisions.
The first division went postward in race seven and featured the Escort champion, Company Man, who was sent off as the slight 9-5 favourite. JK Patriot, third in the Escort Series Final was also in the field. The newcomer on the scene was the three-year-old invading from Dover, Wiggle It Jiggleit for George Teague Jr.
The speed came from JK Patriot, who made the lead early and hit the opening quarter in 27 seconds before yielding that lead to the oncoming Company Man, who cleared down the backstretch, reaching the half in 56 seconds. At that point, Montrell Teague decided it was time to move Wiggle It Jiggleit into contention as they went first over around the far turn, into a :26.4 third quarter. But, that did not phase the three-year-old one bit as Wiggle It Jiggleit powered through the stretch, lengthening his stride and won impressively in 1:49.4, establishing a sub-1:50 mark in just his third lifetime start. As of now, the sky appears the limit for this son of Mr Wiggles. Clyde Francis trains the gelding for George Teague Jr. Inc. Bettorever was second and JK Patriot checked in third.
The second division of the Sonsam featured an interesting match-up of the razor sharp Rockeyed Optimist and the highly talented Major Uptrend. It would be Major Uptrend, the Escort runner-up, who established the pace through fractions of :27.1, :55.1 and 1:23.3, while seeing pressure from Fritzie Pic Up Man, who was challenging first over. In the meantime, Rockeyed Optimist, the 1-2 favourite was looming second over as the field turned for home and he would flip three-wide for the drive. Yannick Gingras then asked Major Uptrend for more speed and he and Rockeyed Optimist sprinted to the wire together, with Major Uptrend narrowly holding off the favourite to win in 1:50.4. The winner is trained by Ron Burke for Howard Taylor. Rediscovery was third.
The $25,000 Dash For The "C" Notes Final was also contested for the pacers on Saturday with 6-5 favourite Dragon Lore living up to his advanced billing, scoring an impressive victory in 1:51.1 with Corey Callahan in the sulky, rallying from just off the pace. Road Untraveled was second and Sir Melos Z Tam third. Dragon Lore is trained by Mark Capone for Thomas Magliozzo, Steve Schachner and Christopher Duffy.
Both Jackpot Super Hi-5 wagers continued to see their carryovers grow. The fifth race carryover is now $16,540.98, while the last race carryover grew to $102,498, surpassing the $100,000 mark for the first time. The bet continues to grow in popularity, with its largest amount bet into the last race pool to date on Saturday of over $36,000.
Gingras won the last three races on the card, totaling four wins on the Saturday program after a grand slam on Friday as well.
The 13-race Saturday program handled $3,328,477.
Racing returns on Thursday with a 10-race program featuring the second round of the Charles Singer Memorial Trotting Series. Post time is 7:15 p.m.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)
Good Luck Montrell Teague.
Good Luck Montrell Teague. Just use common sense, the horse will do the rest.