The early returns are in, and so far – as the Meadowlands Racetrack driver colony is concerned – it’s been all Andrew McCarthy, all the time.
The 32-year-old native of Australia has recorded 14 wins from just 50 starts through the first five weeks of the ‘Big M’s 2018-2019 meeting. A pair of not-so-familiar-names – Dexter Dunn and Michael Merton – sit tied in the second spot with nine victories apiece.
When asked why has done so well to this point, McCarthy said, “The trainers that I drive for,” adding, “I’ve had some nice horses to drive. They make it a heck of a lot easier when you’ve got the best horse in the race.”
McCarthy has driven some of the stronger stock at the meeting thus far. He guided Muscle Diamond in the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for trotters to a 1:52.2 score on Nov. 2, Escapetothebeach to victory in the $173,800 Kindergarten Classic for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Nov. 3 in 1:51.3, and Caviart Ally to the winner’s circle on Nov. 9 in the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for pacing fillies and mares in 1:50.2.
“Caviart Ally is really good right now,” said McCarthy. “She’s at the top of her game heading into the (Nov. 24) TVG final.”
McCarthy is listed to drive more talented stock during the upcoming race week at the Big M. He will team up once again with Muscle Diamond in Friday night’s Preferred Handicap for trotters and will guide New York Sire Stakes champion Reigning Deo in an elimination for the Governor’s Cup for two-year-old colt pacers Saturday.
As usual, racing will be conducted on Friday and Saturday. First-race post time for each of the program’s will be at 7:15 p.m.
JUMP IN THE POOL: The track’s signature wager, the 50-Cent Pick-4, took plenty of green into its pools last weekend (Nov. 9-10). On Friday night, $67,610 was poured into the pot, while Saturday saw $76,382 in action.
One Big M wager that continues to pay off well week in and week out is the 20-Cent Survivor Pick-10, which returned $4,810 (8 of 10) on Friday and $4,451 (6 of 10) Saturday.
Both bets feature low 15 per cent take outs.
Free track program pages are available at both playmeadowlands.com and ustrotting.com.
FOILED AGAIN COMING TO BIG M: On Saturday, Nov. 24, Foiled Again, the richest Standardbred of all time, will be at the Meadowlands, but instead of racing, he’ll be visiting with all of his fans.
The veteran superstar will be posing for selfies in the Backyard during the live card. In addition, there will also be a special commemorative Foiled Again poster giveaway to all guests, which is available at the Players Club Desk beginning at 6 p.m.
Foiled Again’s visit comes on a huge night of racing, as the Big M will host both the Fall Final Four and TVG finals that evening.
TWO PAIR A STRONG HAND: Last Saturday, driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke teamed up to win four times on the program while McCarthy made four winner’s circle visits over the course of the weekend.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)