Dismissed at 16-1 because of his poor post position, Tamarind circled the field early and held on late to score the upset in Tuesday’s $22,500 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.
Although Tamarind has been perhaps the most consistent of The Meadows’ elite trotters in 2014 — he already had won seven times this year — his chances looked dim from Post 9 and appeared to get even bleaker when he was parked well past the quarter. But under Aaron Merriman’s urging, he thwarted the first-over challenge of Big And Little and outlasted the Lightning Lane charge of Drift Away to down him by a neck in 1:53.2, matching his career best. Trustworthy Kid rallied from last for show.
Bill Bercury owns and trains Tamarind, a six-year-old son of Angus Hall-Spicegirl Kosmos who now boasts $569,313 in lifetime earnings.
Mike Wilder piloted four winners on the 15-race card.
(The Meadows)