Big M feature is Priceless

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Just one week ago, Priceless scored on the front end as the even-money choice in a high-end TrackMaster rating event for female pacers in 1:51.3, so it must have come as a surprise to her harness racing fans when she was in no hurry at the start of the featured $32,500 TrackMaster dash Friday night as the 1-5 favorite at The Meadowlands.

But winning driver Andy Miller knew what he had.

“She races really well either way,” said Miller. “I don’t like to be too hard on her every week.”

What the 4-year-old daughter of Rockin Image-Btwnyurheartnmine proved is that she can be just as effective from off the pace as she is on it.

Rose Run Victory was away from the gate well from the rail and took the field past the quarter in :27.1. She’s Nun Bettor N then cleared to the top at the half (:55) as Priceless sat fifth in the six-horse field, which no doubt gave the chalk players cause for concern.

After the half, Major Occasion A vacated the three hole, Annabelle Hanover followed that one with Priceless now in a third-over flow heading to three-quarters, which was reached in 1:23.4.

Off the far turn, Miller swung Priceless to the far outside and she took care of the rest, charging home in :26.3 to go on to an easy 1¼-length win in 1:51.2 and return $2.60 to her backers. Annabelle Hanover was second with Mystical Carrie third.

PRICELESS REPLAY

“She loves to pass horses,” said Miller. “When we turned for home, she kicked into another gear.”

Trained by Julie Miller and owned by Bert Hochsprung, Priceless upped her lifetime numbers to 14 wins from 41 starts, good for earnings of $620,544.

A LITTLE MORE: Miller was the star of the night, following up his Thursday driving double with three more victories on the Friday card. … One shrewd player was smiling at the conclusion of the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7, as he or she cashed in for $6,993. Only one horse in the sequence went off at odds greater than 3-1. … Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic was at the races. He jogged some horses Friday morning at Gaitway Farm under the watchful eye of Tim Tetrick. … All-source handle totaled $1,844,883. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by Dave Little, for the Meadowlands