Friday night’s featured fillies and mares conditioned pace at the Meadowlands was supposed to be a battle between Delightful Dragon and Monica Gallagher, a pair of talented mares who were both seeking to win for a third consecutive start.
One problem: Keystone Riptide did not get the memo.
Sent off at odds of 14-1, Keystone Riptide was left uncovered for the final half-mile but won with ease nonetheless, inching past Monica Gallagher at the eighth pole before reporting home a safe one and threee-quarter length winner in a lifetime-best 1:51. Monica Gallagher was second with Juxta Cowgirl third.
There was more action than expected in the seven-horse field as Juxta Cowgirl had the lead at the quarter, 2-5 favourite Delightful Dragon at the three-eighths and 7-2 second choice Monica Gallagher at the half.
That was the point in the race where Keystone Riptide was left first-over, but the Nik Drennan trainee kept chipping away at Monica Gallagher’s advantage around the far turn before overtaking that foe nearing the wire.
Delightful Dragon worked out a pocket trip, had room along the inside in deep stretch, but did not fire in a disappointing performance, finishing fifth.
Keystone Riptide, a five-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, returned $30.80 to win. She was driven by Andy Miller and is owned by Joseph Davino, Patrick O’Brien and Alberta's Brad Shackman. She’s won 13 of 56 lifetime and now has a bankroll of just over $200,000.
A LITTLE MORE: The Pick-4 pool, which reached a new 2018 high on Saturday, March 24 when over $127,000 was wagered, once again saw big action, as the third-highest pool of the year – $99,183 – was poured into the pot. … Favourite players were seen wearing out a path to cash tickets, as six post-time choices scored on the card, making it 13 winning chalks in the last 23 Big M races. … Brett Miller drove three winners on the card. … All-source wagering totalled $2,407,686. … The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five did not result in a single-ticket winner, upping the carryover to $167,139. … Racing resumes Saturday at the Meadowlands at 7:15 p.m.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)