Since adding Lasix on April 1, Rodeo Romeo has taken his already considerable talent to a career-best level.
The five-year-old Rocknroll Hanover stallion won for the second time in three starts since adding Lasix, this time holding off the late charge of Special T Rocks in Saturday's $18,000 pacing feature in a career-best 1:50.
Andrew McCarthy moved Rodeo Romeo to the front past an opening quarter in :27. From there, the Chris Ryder trainee controlled the action and had just enough late to hold off Special T Rocks, who got clear too late and missed by a head.
Rodeo Romeo won for the ninth time in 29 career starts and now has career earnings of $178,733. He is shared in ownership by Oompa's Farm and Robert Mondillo.
In Round 2 action in the Dash For The G-Notes Series, Iwillmakeyousaynow won the fastest split in a lifetime-best 1:50.3 over fellow Round 1 winners Downthehighwy and So Take That. Iwillmakeyousaywow is trained by Todd Buter and driven by Tyler Buter. Alex Bullville and P L Idaho won the other divisions. The top point earners are scheduled to return next Saturday in the $17,500 final.
Corey Callahan was the driving star of the night with five wins, including a natural hat trick in races seven through nine. Dave Miller won a pair of races while Chris Ryder and Mike Russo each had two training wins.
Total handle was $2,040,489 for the 11-race card.
Racing resumes next Friday. Post time is 7:15 p.m.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)