by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Editor’s Note: Visit the USTA Cyber Circuit Page, where the video replay will be posted.

East Rutherford, NJ — One More Laugh gave one more burst of effort as the wire neared to win the $1 million Meadowlands Pace on Saturday night (July 17) at Meadowlands Racetrack by a head in 1:47.4. One More Laugh was driven by Tim Tetrick and is co-owned and trained by Ray Schnittker for fellow owners Mathias Meinzinger and Jerry Silva. The clocking equaled the world record for a 3-year-old pacing gelding on a mile track.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photo

The connections celebrate in the winner’s circle after One More Laugh’s triumph in the Meadowlands Pace.

With blazing fractions set by first Kyle Major (Jody Jamieson) at the :25.4 first quarter, that one was quickly overtaken by Rock N Roll Heaven (John Campbell) who held the lead over Kyle Major and Rockin Image (Yannick Gingras) all the way to the :53 half-mile mark. Rockin Image was out to challenge just past the half and stalked Rock N Roll Heaven and Campbell around the final turn to the 1:20 three-quarters.

As the field straightened for home, One More Laugh was coming off the cover he had first behind Rockin Image and then behind Kyle Major and it looked like a sprint involving Rock N Roll Heaven and Rockin Image. But those two could not hold off the charge of One More Laugh and he put a nose in front just two strides from the wire. Rock N Roll Heaven was second, with Valentino (George Brennan) third. Rockin Image was fourth.

“If I wouldn’t have been there, I wouldn’t have caught them,” said winning driver Tim Tetrick. “I got lucky and got a good spot and a perfect trip. I give my horse all the credit in the world, he’s been right there every week, he’s just had bad luck. Today I did my job and he was right there. He doesn’t get tired.

Lisa photo

One More Laugh (#8) nipped Rock N Roll Heaven at the wire.

“I told Ray the first time I drove him that he’s dumb and he’s still dumb a little bit but he keeps going and he doesn’t give up. I knew we were going fast, but my horse was still real comfortable at the top of the lane. It took the whole lane to get by those colts. They’re very nice colts and I’m just happy to get by them.”

Trainer Ray Schnittker said he had great hopes for the McArdle gelding last year.

“He was very, very good last year and went the biggest trip I’ve probably ever seen a 2-year-old go in the Governor’s Cup. It’s a lot more fun racing these things with Dewey (former stable star and 2008 Trotter of the Year Deweycheatumnhowe) being in the breeding shed. He’s a gelding, so we’ll be racing him.

“Nothing’s ever going to beat Dewey, he went undefeated (to his Hambletonian win), he was just an unbelievable horse. But this horse is a tough and really good horse and hopefully, he’ll be around another five years, racing in the Breeders Crowns. I think he’ll race next in the Holmes here.”

“It was a hard race and he raced tremendously,” said John Campbell of Rock N Roll Heaven. “It was a hard race; you have to hand it to him (One More Laugh). My horse was tremendous, he just got beat.”

Attendance at the Meadowlands was 14,135, which was up from last year’s 12,872, a 10 percent increase.