East Rutherford, NJ — Winner’s Bet flew uncovered into a sizzling three-quarters to seize the lead and win the $230,000 Graduate Trot final at The Meadowlands on Saturday night (July 6).

Winner’s Bet (inside) took the Graduate Series final for trotters at The Meadowlands Saturday night. Lisa photo.

Dexter Dunn steered the Walner 4-year-old to a winning mile in 1:50.4. It was Winner’s Bet’s third straight win of the 2024 season and it was Dexter Dunn’s second straight winning drive in the Graduate Trot final, winning last year with the mare Jiggy Jog S against the boys.

The gate opened with 17-1 shot Oh Well’s ambitious move from post eight. He rolled three wide on the first turn trying to get the lead while Winner’s Bet took back to race fifth. The first quarter was clocked in :27.3 with Oh Well slugging to the lead. Hasty Bid secured the spot behind the leader and Chapercraz was shuffled to third as Oh Well trotted to the half in :55.3 with no foes yet looming.

Staying steady from fifth, Dunn soon fired with Winner’s Bet to challenge Oh Well into the final turn and was within striking distance by three-quarters in 1:23.3. Winner’s Bet took over the lead from Oh Well in the stretch and then fended off late haste from second-over Special Way in deep stretch to win by a nose at the beam. Chapercraz closed late to take third and Oh Well held fourth.

Nancy Takter trains Winner’s Bet, out of the Donato Hanover mare Side Bet Hanover. He is now a nine-time winner and lifetime earner of $737,217 in 23 starts. Lindy Farms of Connecticut owns Winner’s Bet with Robert A. Rudolph.

The win mutuel for the overwhelming favorite, Winner’s Bet, was $2.40.