by Nick Salvi, for Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment

East Rutherford, NJ — National Debt continued the parade of unbeaten prospects when he captured the $60,500 Buddy Gilmour Pacing Series final in Saturday’s (March 8) 11th race at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Jason Lisa/Lisa photo

National Debt was a 1:50.3 winner in the Buddy Gilmour Pacing Series final.

Driver Tim Tetrick protected the eventual winner’s position from the rail, allowing second choice Capital Account a short lead before retaking before the :55.2 half.

The winner faced token pressure through the :27.4 third panel with Yannick Gingras waiting in the pocket with Capital Account for the homestretch to unleash his colt.

National Debt had the answer when asked by Tetrick, sprinting home in :27.2 for the 1:50.3 win. Capital Account was a well meant second and Dinner At The Met third.

Tetrick was pleased with his colt once again.

“A 1:50 mile in March is pretty big,” said Tetrick. “He got a little lazy on the lead and he has some things to learn, but the talent is there. Now we just have to see if he can pace in 1:47.”

National Debt is now six for six in his career and doubled his lifetime earnings with the Gilmour win for owners Kelly Hoerdt, Erna and Blair Corbell and their new partner, J&T Silva Stables. Ron Coyne, Jr. has been deputized by Hoerdt to tend to his prize pupil while stateside and his work thus far has been impeccable.

Total handle for the Saturday program was $3,426,720, which included slight on-track gains.

Racing returns Thursday, with a 10-race program and post time at 7:15 p.m.