Bettors Edge wired the field in the $20,000 Preferred Handicap at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday, April 28.
The nine-year-old son of Bettors Delight, who was doing so well over the last two months coming from off the pace, reverted to his early-season speed ways, but unlike the first two months of the year – which saw mediocre results – this time the Jennifer Lappe trainee went directly to the top in :27.4.
Though he reached the half in a tepid :56.1, even-money favourite Rodeo Romeo was right there sitting a threatening two-hole trip.
Andy Miller guided the eventual winner through a lightning-fast final half of :53.4 to hit the wire a half-length in front of Rodeo Romeo in 1:50. Soho Wallstreet A was third.
Bettor’s Edge, who paid $7.20 as the second choice in the wagering, now has four wins in his last six appearances in the Meadowlands’ top overnight event. He has been filling his fans’ pockets with cash, as in none of the four scores has he gone off as the post-time choice.
The Robert Santagata and Lappe-owned veteran now has 40 lifetime wins and earnings of $2.08 million.
LOOKING TO GRADUATE: Highalator, who used a big move down the backstretch, secured command and advanced to a half-length victory in the Four-Year-Old Open on the undercard. Western Joe, the even-money choice, held second with Lawrencetown Beach third.
The winning time of 1:49 for Highalator was not only a lifetime-best for the 4-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere, but equaled the fastest mile of 2018 in all of harness racing while being the fastest mile of the year at the Big M.
David Miller drove the winner, who is trained by Jenny Bier. As the third choice in the betting, he paid $9.00 to win.
A LITTLE MORE: One Meadowlands simulcast player in Canada had a huge night, as he or she was the only winner of the track’s 20-Cent Survivor Pick-10, cashing in for $27,252 for surviving seven legs.
For the second straight night, the Pick-4 pool reached six figures ($120,664) while surpassing the $88,000 mark for a 12th straight time.
The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five carryover continues to expand. It now stands at $208,090 after the wager once again failed to result in a single-ticket winner.
Total wagering on the 10-race card was $2,309,009.
Racing resumes at the Big M Friday, May 4 at 7:15 p.m.
(With files from the Meadowlands)