No foes fought Always A Prince as he sped to a 1:48.2 blowout in the $350,000 TVG Open Pace on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Meadowlands.
Driver Yannick Gingras launched the four-year-old Always A Virgin gelding for the front from post 8, crossing to the cones after racing three wide before a :27 first quarter. Dorsoduro Hanover secured the pocket into the backstretch with Mcwicked racing third into the backstretch.
Mcwicked edged off the pylons past a :55 half to supply cover to American History and 2-1 favourite Bettors Wish moving to the final turn. But Always A Prince already separated himself from his competition, opening his lead approaching three-quarters in 1:22.1. Through the stretch Always A Prince continued to widen his advantage while Bettors Wish kicked off cover well behind the winner to take second. American History finished third with Dorsoduro Hanover fourth.
“He certainly left a good impression,” said Gingras, who drove the gelding for the first time, after the race. “[Trainer Tyler George] just said he’s really nice to drive; he can race either way. He left it up to me behind the gate but when the gate opened there wasn’t much speed. A couple of horses left inside of me but I was able to get a really good first half.”
Owned by Carl and Melanie Atley, Always A Prince won his fourth race from 18 starts this season and his 23rd from 40 overall, earning $864,460. Tyler George conditions the $12.00 winner.