Millionaire scores mild upset in $45,000 Open

Never doubt back class as millionaire harness racing pacer Backstreet Shadow (Shadow Play) and driver Jordan Stratton turned a perfect drive into an upset victory at odds of 6-1 in winning the $45,000 Open Handicap Pace at The Meadowlands Saturday, March 11.

The 10th race co-feature American Dealer N (Joe Bongiorno) leave from post seven and work their way to the front and a :27.2 opening quarter mile before Grand Cayman (Jason Bartlett) moved right out from the pocket and took command of the race before the half mile marker in :55.2.

That was when even money race favorite Belmont Royale N (David Miller) came first-over to press the leaders with Backstreet Shadow getting the live second-over cover to the three-quarters in 1:22.4.

The outside flow swarmed over Grand Cayman as they raced down the stretch with Backstreet Shadow able to collar Belmont Royale N before the wire to win by a neck in 1:50.1. Southwind Gendry (Yannick Gingras) was third.

BACKSTREET SHADOW REPLAY

It was the third win this season for Backstreet Shadow. The eight-year-old gelding is now a career winner of $1.294 million with 36 lifetime wins. He is trained by Travis Alexander for owner Robert Di Nozzi of Katonah, NY and paid $14.80 to win.

In the 9^th race $40,500 Open Handicap Trot, it was a Calvary charge from the start as horses were three deep going into the first turn.

As they straighted out it was the 8/5 race favorite Mississippi Storm and driver Jordan Stratton on the lead with Ahundreddollarbill (Chapter Seven) and driver Todd McCarthy coming on the outside. The quarter was passed in :27.4.

Ahundreddollarbill finally cleared to the lead and took the field past the half mile in :56.1 and then to the three-quarters in 1:25.1 as Inaminute Hanover (Andy McCarthy) came charging up first-over to challenge.

Coming down the stretch, Ahundreddollarbill proved to be too tough, holding off Inaminute Hanover by one length in 1:53.2. Platinum AS (Tim Tetrick) closed well to be third.

AHUNDREDDOLLARBILL REPLAY

“He was terrific,” said driver Todd McCarthy. “He has been racing really well. He finished up pretty good tonight and he did it pretty comfortably.”

It was the first win in three starts this year for Ahundreddollarbill. The five-year-old gelding is trained by Tony Alagna for Crawford Farms Racing of Syracuse, NY and paid $6.20 to win.

19 STRAIGHT: All-source betting totaled $3,638,285 on the 14-race card, keeping The Big M’s streak of surpassing the magic $3-million mark intact.

There have been 19 Friday and Saturday night programs conducted during 2023 and every one has seen wagering exceed $3 million.

During 2022, betting went past the $3-million mark 23 times during the 85-program season.

A LITTLE MORE: There were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a carryover of $10,174 for the next time the wager is offered, which will be Friday’s eighth race. Those with five winning selections collected $1,695.90. … Stratton led the driver colony with three victories. … Stacy Chiodo trained a pair to victory lane. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink