The Whata Baron Series got underway Saturday night at Meadowlands Racetrack and featured a collection of 13 talented pacers, split into two divisions.
The first division for $22,500 was led by Rediscovery, the overwhelming 1-5 favourite in the field of six. As a three-year-old, Rediscovery contested the Little Brown Jug and his four-year-old season began with a solid effort in the Sonsam Series and a sharp win in the Sagamore at Yonkers Raceway.
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 favourite 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 favourite. 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 Phillip Collura.
The winner of the second division was determined in the final stride as Bettorever prevailed in a five-across finish in a career-best 1:50.4. He defeated 3-2 favourite Panchester United by a nose while Rock Out was a neck back in third, with Lord Of Misrule and El Bloombito both just half a length behind.
Corey Callahan moved the 3-1 third choice in the wagering into second-place off the gate behind the quick-leaving Rock Out through a :26.4 first quarter. Parked out through that opening panel, the favoured Panchester United worked his way to the top down the backstretch and reached the half in :54.2.
Nearing the final turn, Bettorever went on the attack and began to put pressure on the leader as they rolled by three-quarters in 1:22.3. Panchester United tried desperately to hang on to the lead down the stretch, but couldn't shake off Bettorever.
Bettorever, a top-three Sonsam competitor and the Sagamore runner-up, is trained Jeff Bamond Jr. and owned by Bamond Racing.
The Spring Preview for pacers also commenced on Saturday night. The first division for the maiden colts and geldings went to Edward Teach, a North America Cup and Meadowlands Pace eligible colt, in 1:52.1, giving 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 favourite, 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 before Cup eligible Revenge Shark made a menacing move on the turn to challenge the leader, but drifted slightly in the stretch. Gokudo Hanover was able to hold on for the win in 1:51 with John Campbell aboard. Colorful Speech earned the show spot.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)