From Meadowlands Media Relations
East Rutherford, NJ — The Whata Baron series got underway Saturday night (April 18) at The Meadowlands which featured a collection of thirteen talented pacers, split into two divisions. The first division for $22,500 was led by Rediscovery, the overwhelming 1-5 favorite in the field of six. As a 3-year-old, Rediscovery contested the Little Brown Jug and his 4-year-old season began with a solid effort in the Sonsam series and a sharp win in the Sagamore at Yonkers.
Driven by Yannick Gingras, Rediscovery was allowed to settle off the pace in the early stages, having only one horse beaten at the opening quarter. But Ideal Cowboy, fresh off the layoff was fired up and reached that quarter in 26-seconds. Sassy Hanover was the first horse to move and he made a sharp brush heading past the three-eighths pole, reaching the half-mile in 54-seconds. But at that point, Rediscovery was breathing down his neck and the favorite took over as the field moved into the far turn. Rediscovery paced the far turn in 26.4, reaching three quarters in an eye-opening 1:20.4 and turned for home with the advantage. Ideal Cowboy, the once leader who was shuffled back to third was guided back out and made his bid for the lead, trying to chase down the favorite. But he appeared to lean in several times and was unable to catch Rediscovery. JK Patriot, who saved ground throughout, shook free in the stretch and rallied well to finish third. For Rediscovery, the 1:49.2 mark was a lifetime best performance.
Rediscovery is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing, Weaver, Bruscemi and Collura.
The Spring Preview for pacers also commenced on Saturday night. The first division for the maiden colts and geldings went to Edward Teach, a Meadowlands Pace and Cane Pace-eligible colt in 1:52.1, giving Yannick Gingras a sweep of the early daily double. Edward Teach made a first-over bid, gained separation on the field and won convincingly. Gratian Hanover rallied late to finish second with Devils Cut third.
The second division saw Rock Of The Ages, a son of the great Galleria, pull off the 9-1 upset with Andy Miller in the bike in 1:51.3. Bobby The Greek, the prohibitive favorite was trip-compromised, forced three-wide and could not catch the winner in the stretch, forced to settled for second with American Messenger third.
The Spring Preview for the sophomore pacers meeting the non-winners of two condition featured a match-up of Gokudo Hanover vs. Revenge Shark and the race did not disappoint as Gokudo Hanover cut the mile and turned for home with the lead and Revenge Shark made a menacing move on the turn to challenge the leader, but drifted slightly in the stretch and Gokudo Hanover was able to hold on for the win in 1:51. Colorful Speech earned the show spot.