$240,000 NJSS Final won off perfect trip

Harness racing driver Todd McCarthy took no chances from post ten with Arbitrage Hanover (Bettor’s Wish) in the $240,000 final of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings at The Meadowlands Saturday (May 25). He left right out of the starting gate, wanting the lead.

The 10^th race co-feature saw Endofstory (Dexter Dunn) the fastest of all from the starting gate and getting the early lead but only momentarily as McCarthy came with Arbitrage Hanover and took command. But their lead was short lived as the race favorite, 3/2 Better Is Nice (Andy McCarthy) zoomed to the front by the opening quarter mile in :27.

Better Is Nice then cut the mile to the half in :54.4 and then the three-quarters in 1:23 before Dunn came first-over with Endofstory to challenge.

As they started down the stretch, Endofstory could not collar Better Is Nice, but as space along the rail opened up, Todd McCarthy was able to shoot through with Arbitrage Hanover and beat Better Is Nice by a half a length in 1:49.1. Mr Three Of Five (Jordan Stratton) was third.

ARBITRAGE HANOVER REPLAY

Unbeaten in 2024 with his fourth straight win and a sweep of the NJSS series, it was also a lifetime mark for Arbitrage Hanover. The three-year-old gelding is trained by Brett Pelling and is owned by Pelling Racing, Rojan Stables and Bridle Path Stables, paying $9.60 to win.

“He was a really lovely horse last year,” said Brett Pelling. “But he needed to strengthen up in his gait, he would nick a boot a little bit, put in a couple of tumbles now and then. This year he pushes buttons; wears a little pony bridle and you can do anything you like with him. The problems from last year seems to have passed him by.

“Todd is one of the best I have ever seen getting one off the wings,” Pelling explained. “He knew he was going to go for it. And he followed the best horse in the race.

“I trained some great horses for some great owners,” Pelling added, “But this is the richest purse I have ever won as a co-owner. It’s fantastic!”

In the 6^th race $240,000 final of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies, it was a clean sweep for the daughters of Bettor’s Wish as they captured the first five spots at the finish, led by none other than 1/5 favorite Odds on Steno.

Undefeated now in three starts this year, Odds On Steno and driver Andy McCarthy floated out from post eight along with Pulp Fiction (Todd McCarthy) in post seven.

Pulp Fiction worked her way to the lead and held out Odds On Steno to the first quarter in :27.3. Then Odds On Steno cleared to the lead and cut fractions of :55.2 and 1:24.1, holding the field at bay until the stretch.

McCarthy found another gear with Odds On Steno and she pulled away from the field to win with ease by three lengths in 1:51. Where’s Larry (Scott Zeron) was second with Pulp Fiction third.

ODDS ON STENO REPLAY

Trained by Tony Alagna, Odds On Steno is owned by Let It Ride Stables and Odds On Racing, who also bred the filly. She paid $2.40 to win.

“She was terrific tonight,” said winning driver Andy McCarthy. “She did it pretty easy. She just has an amazing attitude even if she is not that tall, she has a big stride and she covers a lot of ground. And she can go really, really quick.”

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink