Ginsburg rocks tote board with 26-1 longshot

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Harness racing driver Vinny Ginsburg was up to his old tricks on Thursday night (Dec. 1) at The Meadowlands, recording a driving double, one of which blew up the tote board. Not to be outdone, Brett Beckwith also scored twice, one a longshot that completed a late daily double sweep, which returned $82.20.

The first of Ginsburg’s wins came with 5-2 second choice Deerfield Beach (Somebeachsomewhere) for trainer Symon Spicer in a TrackMaster 74 pace in 1:54 in the fourth race.

Ginsburg’s second score left his backers smiling in the sixth, as he sat a three-hole trip with Skyway Fireball (He’s Gorgeous) before splitting rivals late and going on to a 2¼-length win in 1:54.2 for trainer Paul Fusco. As the second-longest shot on the board at 26-1, Skyway Fireball returned $55.20 to win as 1-5 public choice Raptors Flight N had to settle for second.

Scoring with big bombs is nothing new for Ginsburg. Earlier in the meet, he scored with You Beda Rock – a horse he also trains – on Nov. 4 and Nov. 11 at odds of 38-1 and 43-1, respectively.

SKYWAY FIREBALL REPLAY

Beckwith fans cashed in with 3-2 favorite Ooh Real Good in the eighth race. The William Wiggins student hit the wire in 1:54.4 in the fillies and mares TrackMaster 74 pace.

Trainer Fusco’s second winner completed the late double when the ‘Beckwith Bomb’ Striking Impact scored at 30-1 after racing uncovered for the final half before eventually wearing down his foes in 1:53 in a $25,000-$40,000 claiming handicap pace.

A LITTLE MORE: No winning tickets were sold in the 20-cent Pick-6, setting up a carryover of $2,600 for Friday night. Those with five correct cashed in for $216.72. … With Ginsburg and Beckwith connecting with longshots during the sequence, the lone 50-cent Pick-4 returned $9,814.60. … All-source handle totaled $1,027,440 on the nine-race card. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands