Driver Jim Marohn Jr. is in the midst of a breakout season and he can point to the opportunities he has been receiving as a major part of the reason why.
He cashed in on his opportunities on Saturday at The Meadowlands, finding the winner’s circle on four separate occasions on the 13-race program.
As we are on the doorstep of the half-way mark of the calendar year, Marohn is on pace to drive in over 2,400 races, which would be 500 more races than he had ever competed in one year before. Naturally, thanks to the increased opportunities Marohn is on pace for a 400-win campaign and earnings of nearly $2.5 million, which both would be career highs for the “Mighty-Mite.”
Marohn currently sits fourth in the driver standings at Monticello Raceway, despite splitting his weekdays with Freehold Raceway where he was seventh in the driver standings, while winning at a higher percentage than any other driver on the grounds. Marohn amazingly is tied for second in the driver standings at Tioga Downs, despite only driving there one day each week.
At The Meadowlands, Marohn sits ninth in the driver standings, which places him in the top 10 of four different racetrack’s drivers colonies in the first six months of the year.
Marohn's Meadowlands grand slam included a win by Triple Major in a claiming mini-series, a late drive that he picked up when Dan Rawlings booked off his drives. He also scored with Bolder in a Dash For The “G” Notes division and Trading Up in a condition pacing event as well as a triumph in the nightcap with The Summer Wind.
There were four divisions of the The Dash For The “G” Notes and the first division went to Jin Dandy, who has now won three of his last four starts on the heels of not winning a race for 18 months. Jin Dandy has become a popular commodity at the claiming box as he was claimed for the third consecutive start, this time for $12,500 and he will race for trainer Nick Surick in the “G” Notes Final. Jin Dandy won for Liv With Autism Stables LLC and was trained by Stanley Weitoish.
Bolder scored his second victory of the 2015 racing season in his division of the “G” Notes as he rallied off cover for Marohn to win in 1:53.4. Bolder is owned by the Comeback Stable for trainer Julius Czermann.
Gratias Deo endured a first over trip to win the third “G” Note division for Marcus Miller. The five-year-old gelding was able to chase down Colossal, who set strong fractions up front, and win in the slop in 1:53.1. The winner scored for the Imdonegetout Stable and trainer John Butenschoen, who earned his third training win of the weekend.
An upset was sprung in the last “G” Note elimination as Bubbie Boy scored at 18-1 despite a tough first over trip with John Plutino. Kingofthejungle appeared to be loaded with pace, but was trapped behind horses and shook free too late to catch the longshot winner. Bubbie Boy won for Stephen Schneider and William Siegel and is trained by Jean Drolet.
The highest money earners from tonight’s eliminations return for the $25,000 mini-series final on Saturday, July 4.
In other action, Rock Star pulled off a 9-1 upset in an upper-level condition pacing event, flashing a good late kick for Jim Pantaleano to win for the fourth time this season.
Rock Star followed the cover of Canbec Kingkazimir, who led the outer-flow and was chasing reasonable fractions of :26.4, :55.1 and 1:23.1 before turning for home, where Canbec Kingkazimir poked a head in front. The speed was established by the 4-5 favourite, Madiba Magic N, but that gelding came up empty in the stretch. Rock Star was lengthening his stride down the center of the track and he was able to sprint past the speed while out-gunning Dealt A Winner to the wire to win in 1:51. The three-year-old, Dealt A Winner, rallied to be second with Canbec Kingkazimir third.
The winner is owned by Robert Zakian and trained by Kenneth Anderson.
Both Jackpot Super Hi-5 carryovers continued to grow, with the fifth race carryover expanding to $170,877 and the last race carryover reaching $154,332.
Racing returns on Friday, July 3 with post time at 7:15 p.m. That program includes the $250,000 Graduate Pacing Final as well as a Fireworks Spectacular at the conclusion of the racing card.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)