The Rock and Roll Stable's Americanprimetime ($7.40) was resolute amid early pressure, turning aside two early challengers and setting fast fractions en route to a 1:49 triumph in the featured $17,500 top-level pace at the Meadowlands on Saturday (June 25) evening.
Joe Bongiorno had the accelerator down early with the four-year-old American Ideal entire, battling with Vapour N (Pat Berry) and Art History (Victor Kirby) through a :26.2 first quarter and refusing to yield. While Vapour N eased off the pace, Americanprimetime would not shake off the challenge of Art History until well after a :53.4 half, subsequently gaining separation on the field through the far turn. Americanprimetime amassed a three and a half length lead in upper stretch, but was fully extended in the last eighth to stave off a massive rally from Jacksrluckytoo (Jim Marohn Jr.), who circled three-wide off the far turn and closed boldly to miss Americanprimetime's 1:49 mile by a scant head. Ashleys Husband (Vinny Ginsburg) circled from the rear of the field to take third, a farther three and a half lengths back.
Rick Dane Jr. trains Americanprimetime, now a seven-time winner.
For Bongiorno, the featured win was one of five on the 12-race card. Vinny Ginsburg also accounted for five driving wins on the evening, including the $15,000 Dash for the "G" Notes mini-series final for first-level conditioned pacers with Vague Traces ($2.20, 1:50).
Kate Repetto was crowned the 2016 Ms. Hot to Trot at Rhe Meadowlands and Alicia Blanks the runner-up, taking a $5,000 grand prize and $2,500 second prize, respectively.
Both 20-cent Jackpot High 5 wagers carry over to next Friday's (July 1) program, with $21,976.73 going to the fifth-race High 5, and $267,769.47 added to the closing-race High 5 should one bettor take down the entire pool.
Despite one fewer race on the card in comparison to the corresponding Saturday program in 2015, total all-sources handle increased by $178,363.
Friday evening's program is due to commence at 7:15 p.m. Eastern. Fans and horsemen alike are advised that the Saturday (July 2) card carries a special first post of 6:30 p.m.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)