23-1 upset winner in super-fast Graduate Pace

Closing off of second-over cover, Act Fast (Downbytheseaside) and harness racing driver Todd McCarthy scored a major upset at odds of 23-1 in capturing the first $50,000 division of the Graduate Pace at The Meadowlands Saturday (June 22).

Not only were the odds high, but the time of 8^th race was the fastest of the season at The Meadowlands, 1:47.3.

It’s My Show (Scott Zeron) was first on the lead then Voukefalas (Jordan Stratton) took over to the quarter in :26.1. Then it was race favorite Coach Stefanos (David Miller) moving to the lead before the half mile in :53.3.

As they raced down the backstretch, Seafire (Dexter Dunn) came out first-over giving live cover to Act Fast by the three-quarters in 1:21.

As they started down the stretch, Coach Stefanos bore out just enough for Voukefalas to squeeze by and briefly take the lead but Act Fast was closing with enough speed to win by three-quarters of a length. It’s My Show nosed out Voukefalas for second place.

ACT FAST REPLAY

It was a lifetime mark and the third win of the season for Act Fast. The four-year-old gelding is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing, Knox Services, Rich Lombardo and Beasty, Inc. He paid a whopping $49.60 to win.

“It was a pretty good race to trip into,” said Todd McCarthy. “He raced super, I was really happy with him. It was my first time behind the horse, and I did not know that much about him. Ronnie told me he has not had much luck lately and he is better than his lines show. He said if you can get a good trip with him the horse could win.”

Ken Hanover (Captaintreacherous), with an aggressive drive by Hall of Famer David Miller, was able to capture the 12^th race $50,000 second division of the Graduate Pace with a lifetime best 1:47.4 score.

Race favorite Huntforthelastdollar (Yannick Gingras) worked their way to the lead over No Control (Jordan Stratton) by the the first quarter in :27.1. Then it was Ken Hanover with Miller rushing him to the front at the half mile in :54.3.

In the backstretch, No Control came back first-over with Redwood Hanover (Andy McCarthy) second-over but as they passed the three-quarters in 1:22, Ken Hanover was still the strong horse. He held up through the stretch, kicking in a :25.4 last quarter mile to win by one length. Huntinthelastdolar was second with Redwood Hanover third.

KEN HANOVER REPLAY

The 1:47.4 clocking was a new lifetime mark for Ken Hanover. The four-year-old stallion is trained by Roland Mallar, who co-owns Ken Hanover with Patrick Leavitt, William Jordan and Dennis Osterholt. He paid $10.20 to win.

“He acted way sharper tonight,” said David Miller. “Everything worked his way tonight. He’s a good racehorse. He’s solid, gets around any size track and gives 100%. He has a lot of good qualities.”

A LITTLE MORE: One shrewd player scooped the pot in the 20-cent Pick-6. With a carryover of $3,440 leading to a total pool of just over $36,000, after a sequence that saw winner’s odds of 1-5, 12-1, 5-2, 9-5, 3-1 and 14-1, he or she cashed in for $31,337.96. … The 11^th race 10-cent Hi-5 (or Pentafecta, if you prefer) saw a carryover of $15,253 lead to a total pool of just over $74,000. Those with tickets with the correct combination of 1-5-7-8-6 walked away with $1,837.83. … All-source handle on the 14-race card totaled $2,978,687. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink