After a disappointing effort a week ago in the Cutler Memorial, Fiftydallarbill rebounded in an easier spot Friday night at the Meadowlands, taking the featured $25,000 conditioned trot in a lifetime-best 1:51.3. The only trotter to go faster in 2019 was Atlanta, who went 1:50.4 on Monday at Miami Valley.
In the Cutler, the Katricia Adams trainee was at the rail in sixth when he broke at the head of the stretch. He did finish sixth but was disqualified and placed 10th for interference. This time around, it was a far different story.
Mission Accepted, the 4-5 favourite, was on the point at the half, and just after that split, Fiftydallarbill was popped out of the four-hole by Tim Tetrick to challenge. The four-year-old son of Swan For All-CR Dixie Chick inched his way toward the front around the far turn and wore down the leader nearing the wire, hitting the finish three-quarters of a length in front after trotting his final quarter in :26.3. Henderson Seelster was third.
Fiftydallarbill, the 2017 Breeders Crown champion, returned $4.20 to his backers as he won for the 17th time in 38 career starts. He has earned $858,450 for his owner John Barnard.
HAMBO STAYS PUT: The Hambletonian Society and the Meadowlands have signed an agreement that will keep the Hambletonian, Hambletonian Oaks and Hambletonian Maturity at the Big M through 2023.
There will be a major change coming for the 2020 edition of the Hambo. Eliminations will be contested the week before the final.
A LITTLE MORE: Andy Miller suffered a non-racing-related broken hand that will cost him a month on the sidelines. … Scott Zeron pinch-hit for Miller, guiding a pair of winners for Andy’s wife, trainer Julie Miller. … The 20-cent Can-Am Pick-4 took in just under $50,000 in action, and after a sequence that saw winner’s odds of 2-1, 7-2, 5-2 and 7-1, those who had tickets with the winning combination of 4-3-6-9 walked away with $134.36. … One sharp player betting into the Ohio hub held the lone ticket that lasted seven legs in the 20-cent Survivor Pick-10 and cashed in for $8,536. … After sweeping the Late Double, Tetrick had three winners on the night and now has 10 over the last three race cards. … All-source handle was $2,298,689. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
(Meadowlands)