For faithful fans of the standout aged pacer Highalator, Saturday night (June 6) at the Meadowlands was an extremely profitable one.
The six-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere-Higher And Higher pulled off a shocker in the Big M’s featured Preferred Pace, scoring from off the pace at odds of 42-1.
None Bettor A, who won his last outing before the coronavirus shutdown in 1:50.4 at the Meadowlands, was sent to the gate as the 3-5 favourite. The veteran speedsters, off a 1:50.4 qualifier at Gaitway Farm, was on the point through torrid fractions of :26.2, :53.3 and 1:21.3, but did not have quite enough to finish the job, setting the stage for a closer.
Highalator, who won six-of-nine starts at the Meadowlands a year ago including a four-race sweep of the Golden Receiver series, showed high early energy from post 10 before settling into the six-hole past the quarter and half.
Bettor Memories ventured first over while providing a live tow for Highalator as he ground his way into contention at three-quarters. With a little more than an eighth-of-a-mile to go, driver Ricky Still tipped Highalator off his cover and, under steady urging, was able grab the front by a neck, holding off a late two-pronged attack of second-place finisher Jesse Duke N and Shnitzledosomethin, who grabbed the show dough.
This was quite a payoff for Highalator lovers, as the Jenny Bier trainee returned $86.80 to win. During his Golden Receiver sweep in 2019, he was sent as the favourite every time, the longest odds being 8-5.
Highalator stopped the clock in 1:48.4 and now has 33 wins from 72 starts. His career earnings now stand at $559,074 for owners Jenny Bier, Joann Dombeck and Midsize Construction Inc.
A LITTLE MORE: Favourites proved a tad vulnerable during the first weekend back as eight post-time choices won over the course of the 26 races (31 per cent), but there was still plenty of form as 14 races were won by horses whose odds were 3-1 or less (54 per cent).
All-source wagering totaled $2,743,510. Betting at the Big M has now exceeded $2.5 million on nine straight occasions and 14 of the last 15 cards.
Ten different drivers guided winners on the Saturday program. Tim Tetrick had a driving triple while Dexter Dunn won twice.
Racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m. (EDT).
(Meadowlands Racetrack)