by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
East Rutherford, NJ — Western Joe received another good steer from driver Pat Berry on the way to winning the Meadowlands Saturday night (Feb. 24) feature, the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for pacers, for the third time in four tries.
Ever since finishing fourth to Downbytheseaside in the Progress Pace on Nov. 30, the 4-year-old son of Western Ideal has won five of eight outings, with a total of seven on-the-board finishes.
Lisa photo
Western Joe anddriver Pat Berry make it three wins in four starts in the Meadowlands Saturdaynight feature, the Preferred Handicap for pacers.
On Saturday night, Western Joe was on the go early, grabbing the lead from Bettor’s Edge just after the quarter, which went in :27.1. Bettor’s Edge retook at the three-eighths and the pair stayed that way to the top of the stretch.
Around the far turn, 4-5 favorite Rockin Ron was making his presence felt swinging to the outside for the stretch drive after racing in a live flow third-over. But through the lane, while Rockin Ron was closing in on the far outside, Western Joe found an opening along the inside and powered clear to record a 1-1/4 length win in 1:50. Rockin Ron finished second, with Bettor’s Edge holding third.
As the third choice in the field of seven, Western Joe returned $13.00 to his backers for trainer Chris Choate and owner Anthony Ruggeri. He now has 13 wins in 34 career starts and a bankroll of just over $200,000.
A LITTLE MORE: Leading driver Jim Marohn Jr. won three races on the card. … One lucky player held the only winning ticket in the fourth-race trifecta and walked away with $24,961.50 for a $1 base wager. … The Pick-5 was not hit, resulting in a carryover of $30,202. … The Pick-4 pool was crushed to the tune of $94,699, and those who hit it cashed in for $454.35 for a 50-cent bet. … The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five again did not result in a single-ticket winner, bloating the carryover to $120,134. … All-source wagering totaled $2,719,591. … Racing resumes at the Big M Friday at 6:35 p.m.