Driver Johnathan Ahle once again worked out a close-to-the-action trip for Outside The Fire, and for a second straight week that enabled the Jeff Cullipher trainee to cop another Friday night feature at The Meadowlands in the $34,722 Winners Over Trot on April 25.
It was the toughest test yet for the six-year-old gelded son of Cantab Hall-Light The Flame, facing the likes of 1-2 favourite Aetos Kronos S as well as the Ron Burke 1-2 punch of Chapercraz and track record holder (for an older gelding) Lexus Kody.
It was an early four-horse scrum around the first turn with Aetos Kronos S, Outside The Fire, Chapercraz and Lexus Kody all vying for early position. Not surprisingly, Lexus Kody, being driven by Australian visitor James Herbertson, grabbed the top before the three-eighths and went on to lead the field past the half in :57.3 after Aetos Kronos S and Dexter Dunn had the point at the quarter in :28.
Outside The Fire, the 2-1 second choice, vacated the three-hole at the five-eighths and made his way toward the leader, getting to within three-quarters of a length of Lexus Kody at three-quarters, which went in 1:26.
The stretch drive was a thriller, with Lexus Kody straining to hold on, Outside The Fire on the outside continuing to inch closer and Aetos Kronos S crying out for room in the pocket. With a sixteenth to go, Outside The Fire collared the leader as Aetos Kronos S found room at the rail but ‘Fire’ had enough momentum to record a safe neck win over Aetos Kronos S. Lexus Kody went off stride nearing the wire, but after the judges had a look, was able to hold on to the show spot.
“Soft fractions again and we got away third. I knew it was going to be a sprint home,” said Ahle. “But [Outside The Fire] has been sharp, so it worked out.”
Outside The Fire, who has now won three of his last four and four of his last six, raised his lifetime stats to 26 victories from 85 starts, good for earnings of $441,962. He paid $6.80 to win.
The trotter is owned by Pollack Racing of Venetia, Pennsylvania.
There were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a carryover of $5,633 for Saturday’s card. Having a winning ticket proved too tough for The Big M faithful as winners' odds for the sequence – where favourites were beaten the first five legs – were 15-1, 6-1, 7-1, 4-1, 8-1 and 4-5. Those with four correct collected $22.90. The Pick-6 is offered on races eight through 13 and free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.
Meadowlands leading driver Brett Beckwith and Mark Herschberger, currently fourth in The Big M standings, had three winners apiece to top the driver colony on Friday. Beckwith now has 63 victories for the year and Herschberger 32.
Herbertson got his first Big M win in the 14th race with 16-1 outsider Select Friday. The reinsman will be the guest on the pre-game show’s In the Sulky segment on Saturday at 5:50 p.m.
All-source handle on the 14-race card totalled $1,874,074 USD.
Racing resumes on Saturday at 6:20 p.m.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)