It was another Saturday night at the Meadowlands where most of the regular drivers were out of town, and Pat Berry took full advantage. He guided Backstreet Shadow to a lifetime-best–and Meadowlands’ season’s-fastest–1:47.4 clocking in the featured $30,000 Four-Year-Old Preferred Pace.
Berry had the Scott DiDomenico trainee in a perfect position second-over following Albergo Hanover as 3-5 favourite Always A Prince hit three-quarters in 1:20.1.
All Berry had to do at that point was tip off his cover, and he did just that during the stretch drive before rolling to a three-quarter lengths victory over a fast-closing American History. Always A Prince held on for third.
Backstreet Shadow, a son of Shadow Play-Backstreet Sweetie, gave notice in his last race that another big effort might be on the way. On June 9 at Tioga Downs, he won a division of the Graduate Series in a then lifetime-best 1:49.1.
The winner paid $13.20 as the third choice in the wagering, and has now won five-of-12 starts this year for owner William Hartt. Lifetime, he’s won 12-of-29 outings and banked $262,146.
A LITTLE MORE: Vinny Ginsburg and Eric Abbatiello led the driver’s colony with three winners each. Berry and Steve Smith both visited victory lane twice.
The 50-Cent Pick 5, which saw a total pool of $56,304, had no winning favorites during its sequence, but was still hittable as the longest price of the five was $14.40, which led to a payout of $3,263.
The fifth race 20-Cent Jackpot Super High Five did not result in a single-ticket winner, upping the carryover to $116,410.
All-source handle totaled $2,461,122.
Racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m.
(with files from the Meadowlands)