East Rutherford, NJ — Outside The Fire was kept off the early action, which was plentiful in the Friday night (Dec. 19) feature at the Meadowlands, and had more than enough in the latter stages to record a half-length victory in the $17,500 high-end conditioned trot.
The 6-year-old gelded son of Cantab Hall-Light The Flame ended a six-race losing streak by scoring in 1:55.2 as the even-money favorite. His last win came at the Big M on July 19 in the same class.
Driver Johnathan Ahle decided he and Outside The Fire would be spectators early, as Tactical Strike (at the rail), Iwon’t Backdown As (first-over) and Domovoy (three-wide) were at each other’s throats to the quarter, where Domovoy actually tripped the beam in :28.3.
Tactical Strike was out for more once Domovoy cleared, making a quick move to grab the lead at the three-eighths, and opened up on the field at the half by 3-1/2 lengths in :56.1 and still had a 3-length advantage as he sailed past three-quarters in 1:25.2.
But he was getting tired as a pair of horses from the Enrico Robinson barn closed in on the rim. Super Duper Cooper was moving well first-over, providing a live tow for Ahle and Outside The Fire, who by now had decided to join the party.
“He impresses me at how versatile he is,” said Ahle. “He can leave or he can do it from behind. He actually really enjoys having a target and can give you a good :26 quarter at the end. He’s a cool horse who’s fun to drive.”
Around the far turn, Iwon’t Backdown As was up to challenge the leader, as Super Duper Cooper crept closer. Outside The Fire was now gapping his cover, not intimidating a soul. But his best was yet to come.
In deep stretch, Tactical Strike waved the white flag and broke. Super Duper Cooper grabbed the lead, but by now Outside The Fire had good momentum, and gobbled up his stablemate nearing the wire. Iwon’t Backdown As was a good-looking third.
“I wasn’t impeded by the breaker, I was more worried about [Super Duper Cooper],” said Ahle. “But my horse felt good coming home, so there were no worries.”
Outside The Fire now has 28 wins in 102 lifetime starts. He lifted his earnings to $440,193 for owners Pollack Racing LLC after returning $4.20 to his backers.
HE CAN CALL ’EM, HE CAN PICK ’EM: Peter Kleinhans not only had his announcing skills on display Friday night, but his handicapping prowess was also plain to see.
Kleinhans correctly selected seven winners on the card, with his big hit coming in the third race, when he tabbed Pearl Harbour N, who returned $29.80.
The man who can call a race, co-host a simulcast show and drive a horse gave out a best-bet winner (I Dream Of Jeanie in the 10th race, who paid $6), and, in addition, his value play (Cloche On, 14th, $9.20) also scored. Kleinhans’ final holiday gift to his faithful was the late double ice cold, which returned $24.60.
A LITTLE MORE: A modest carryover of $3,087 motivated punters to pour $20,399 of “new money” into the 20-cent Pick-6 pool. After a sequence where winners’ odds were 1-1, 14-1, 2-1, 5-2, 8-1 and 1-1, those with winning tickets cashed in for $2,269.62. … Brett Beckwith continued to win races in bunches, taking five on the night to lead the driver colony. The 22-year-old pilot has now won 29 races over the last eight Big M programs. … Robinson’s three jaunts down victory lane led the trainers. … All-source handle on the 14-race program totaled $2,492,312. … Racing resumes Saturday (Dec. 20) at 6:20 p.m.