Kelvin Harrison trainee In the Arsenal will look to return to his winning ways in Saturday (December 3) evening’s $17,500 pacing feature at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The millionaire will square off against six rivals — including the red-hot Bullet Bob and recent stateside arrival Uncle Lile A — in the night’s second of 13 races.
Despite a break at the start of his last race, the four-year-old son of American Ideal proved strong while in victory three races ago, as he used a first-over bid and a :26.2 closing quarter to defeat Boston Red Rocks and Quality Closer in 1:49.1, a mile which equalled his lifetime mark.
Brett Miller will drive the 15-time winner from Post 3 in the field of seven. In the Arsenal’s entrymate, Dream Out Loud N, will arrive from Harrah’s Philadelphia following a win over similar competition on Sunday. David Miller once again will drive the Darran Cassar trainee from Post 7, and the pair has been installed as the 2-1 favoured entry on the morning line.
Bullet Bob has emerged as a sharp contender in recent weeks, and could serve as a likely pacesetter in the race from Post 6. The 32-time winner controlled the terms in this same event last week, only to be reeled in by pocket rival Mr Hasani N in the last 40 yards of a 1:50.3 mile. Corey Callahan drives the 4-1 third choice for trainer Mark Harder. Also of note in the field is Noel Daley trainee Uncle Lile A, who recently arrived in the United States after a lengthy campaign in Australia. Fellow Australian Andy McCarthy once again will drive the eight-year-old gelding following a sweep of the ‘Dash for the G-Notes’ series in early November and a hard-closing third-place finish behind Dream Out Loud N in their recent Philadelphia matchup.
The Saturday sub-feature is the culmination of the Jersey Strong series for $7,500 claiming pacers, with a full field of ten lining up for the night’s 12th event. Esprit De Kayjay A is part of the 2-1 favoured entry that will be sent to post by trainer Mike Fiumenero after a second-place finish in his Freehold preliminary and a strong 1:53.4 win in his local preliminary last week. David Miller will drive the 60-time winner.
As is standard, a combined $105,000 in guaranteed Pick 4 and Pick 5 pools awaits players on the Saturday card, along with a pair of 20-cent Jackpot High Five opportunities. Post time for the card is slated for 7:15 p.m.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)