The trip wasn’t as easy as last week’s but the result remained the same for Macs Delight, who won a second straight Saturday night feature at The Meadowlands.
Seven days ago, Macs Delight went as perfect a trip a horse can get, picking up extremely live cover after a ground-saving journey on the way to an easy score as the 3-5 favourite.
Saturday night (April 12), leaving from post seven in an eight-horse field (there was one scratch), the Tom Cancelliere trainee had to earn his way into the winner’s circle, and he did so with flying colors in the $27,778 high-end conditioned pace.
“He’s such a professional,” said winning driver Dexter Dunn. “You can do what you want with him."
Southwind Gendry, Da Delightful and Macs Delight all fired away from the gate and lined up that way out of the first turn. Southwind Gendry, looking to get back on track after a subpar try a week ago after consecutive wins at this level, took the field past the quarter in :27.1, but Dunn moved Macs Delight to the lead shortly thereafter to play a game of catch me if you can.
The five-year-old gelded son of Bettors Delight-Michelles Pride led at the half in :55.3, but big-time pressure was on the way in the form of Maxim Hanover, who sprinted up on the rim uncovered to take on the leader nose-to-nose at the five-eighths and around the far turn.
“That was good for him,” said Dunn. “He races other horses. He’s just in great form.”
After three-quarters was reached in 1:23.1, Macs Delight could not put Maxim Hanover away until they had straightened up in the stretch, but once he did, it was ballgame over, as Macs Delight powered clear to a 1-1/2-length win in 1:50.2. Captain Crusader A closed well for second with Southwind Gendry third.
“I was traveling good enough [through the stretch], but you have good horses chasing you,” said Dunn. “He’s gutsy.”
John Cancelliere owns Macs Delight, who now has 18 wins from 53 lifetime starts, good for earnings of $350,567. As the 4-5 public choice, he returned $3.60 to win.
There were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6, setting up a carryover of $5,569 for Friday’s (April 18) card. Winner’s odds for the sequence were 13-1, 5-1, 4-5, 9-1, 5-2 and 9-5. Those with five correct collected $135.32. Dunn and Todd McCarthy tied for top driver with two wins each while the super steady Jeff Cullipher led the trainers with a pair of jaunts down victory lane. All-source handle on the 14-race card totaled $2,824,851. Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.
(Meadowlands)