East Rutherford, NJ — Heading into Saturday (Oct. 25) night’s featured $17,500 high-end conditioned pace at The Meadowlands, post-time favorite Seven Colors had won two of his previous six starts. In the four losses, he was beaten by Ken Hanover twice, Sabonis and newly-minted Breeders Crown champion Ervin Hanover.
He flaunted the class edge he possessed on his foes, as well as using a perfect drive from Big M leading pilot Brett Beckwith, to win for the 14th time in 56 career starts in a sparkling 1:48.4.
Bet down to 2-5, Beckwith was easy on Seven Colors, settling into the four hole out of the first turn as Handlelikeaporsche (Colin Kelly) took the field past the quarter in :26.1 and half in :54.
Seven Colors was moved off the rail by Beckwith at the five-eighths to go after the leader, and was making progress when Lyons Steel (Tyler Miller) popped out of the two-hole, providing a live tow around the far turn as Handlelikeaporsche hit three-quarters in 1:21.3.
Midway through the stretch, Seven Colors swung off his cover and charged home to a safe 1-length win, easily holding off a late-rallying Mac’s Delight (Daniel Dube). Lyons Steel was third.
“He was coming out of a Breeders Crown elimination,” said Beckwith, who was unconcerned about coming from off the pace. “I figured he would have a good 26 second final quarter in him (it was actually :26.2). I didn’t want to get into a speed duel with him early.
“It never hurts to have a helmet but I think he would been OK regardless. Good horses prevail. It doesn’t matter the trip you give them.”
A 5-year-old son of Stay Hungry-Rainbowinthedark, the Andrew Harris trainee lifted his lifetime earnings to just under $1.1 million. He is owned by Bill Pollock, Bruce Areman and Harris, and returned $2.80 to his backers.
A LITTLE MORE: Lauren Tritton was at it again. The greatest female driver in Meadowlands history led the colony with three victories on the program. She is the only female in Big M history to win four races on a card, and has won three or more three times. No other female pilot has won more than two on a single Big M program. … Lauren’s husband, Shane, led the trainers with two walks down victory lane. … All-source handle on the 14-race card totaled $2,243,616. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.