On a night that was tough on horses looking to rally from off the pace, Odds On Equuleus bucked the Saturday night trend at The Meadowlands by rocketing off cover to win in his return off a month freshening.
Considered just one of many contenders in a loaded conditioned event to kick off the Late Pick 4, Odds On Equuleus was released at 7/2 in the highly competitive field. Blatantly Best was sent off as the lukewarm 3-1 favourite in the field and Windsong Gorgeous, riding a four-race win streak was dismissed at 5-1 despite winning as an overwhelming favourite the previous week.
The early lead belonged to Dapper Dude, fresh off three attempts in the Levy series. In fact, the six-year-old led the field all the way to mid-stretch, reeling off fractions of :26.3, :53.4 and 1:21.4. Despite setting a brisk pace, Dapper Dude found himself in front with just an eighth of a mile to go. Pocket-sitter Windsong Gorgeous offered no pace in the stretch and retreated, as did the first over Mister Virgin. A perfectly positioned Ontario Success, who sat second over launched a rally in the stretch, but Odds On Equuleus was tracking that foe every step of the way and he exploded through the stretch with a :26.4 final quarter to win going away in 1:49.2.
The win was the second of the season for Odds On Equuleus, driven to victory by Scott Zeron who won three races on the card for trainer Tony Alagna and owners, Odds On Racing.
In other action, Panchester United won the prep for the Whata Baron series, scoring a head victory over a game Rock Out in 1:51 for Dave Miller and trainer Ron Burke, who both scored doubles on the card.
Tonight’s Dash For The “G” Notes Final went to Lets Foal Around, who held on by a nose over the surging Mambo Italiano and Rock Star in 1:51.2. The win was one of three on the program for driver Andy Miller. Stacy Chiodo trained the G-Note winner for Eugene Landy.
The high-money condition pace on the card came in race 12, a $22,500 pacing event that featured a select field of six. Fool Me Once emerged victorious in wire to wire fashion for Scott Zeron and Tony Alagna, who teamed up to win with the aforementioned Odds On Equuleus. Fool Me Once fended off the late challenge of Dovuto Hanover to score a 1:50.4 triumph for owner Brad Grant.
Both Jackpot Hi-5 pools went unclaimed again. The fifth race Jackpot Super Hi-5 sports a carryover of $80,594 into the Friday, April 17th program, while the last race Jackpot carryover now stands at $46,357.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)
To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Meadowlands Racetrack.