Meadowlands Pace to Roll With Joe
East Rutherford, NJ --- Big Jim flew at the end of the mile in the $1 million Meadowlands Pace at Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday (July 16), but it was just a neck too short to catch the winner, Roll With Joe, in 1:48.2.
Big Jim, driven by Phil Hudon for trainer Jim Dean, was well off the early pace amd three wide in sixth late in the mile. The pace was set first by Wink N Atacha (Yannick Gingras) at the :26.1 quarter but he was overtaken by Roll With Joe (Ron Pierce) until the half when Custard The Dragon (Montrell Teague) came from third to get the lead on the outside by the :53 half.
Custard The Dragon held the lead into the turn and the 1:21 three-quarters. By the head of the stretch, Roll With Joe was on the lead and moving out, while Custard The Dragon had faded to fourth. Big Jim had moved up to the third spot and was on the move in deep stretch, but could not quite get to Roll With Joe. Wink N Atcha (Yannick Gingras) was third.
It was the third Meadowlands Pace win in the last four years for driver Ron Pierce and the first Pace win for trainer Ed Hart, who trains the colt for owners Blue Chip Bloodstock, Steve Demeter, Not To Worry Stable and breeder Winbak Farm. The son of Cam's Card Shark-Classic Wish was a $100,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Selected Sale.
"I hadn't driven him before," said Pierce. "But Eddie told me last year that he was a really nice colt. Then, when I was named to drive him, I was really happy. Several people called me up and told me this colt could really go; he was better than everybody thought he was, I can tell you that. He was as slick as they come. I'm telling you, it felt really super.
"I was anxious as soon as the horse (Custard The Dragon) crossed over. I almost didn't let him cross over because this colt felt really good. I felt just like leaving him out there, but I figred I'd let him cross over and see what happens. I was just worried about someone catching him from the back. I thought I had enough hold because I really hadn't hit him. It couldn't have rained on a drier spot."
Trainer Ed Hart said the colt prepared well dring the week.
"He had an excellent week, trained well," he said. "Pierce drove him super, put him in the race and had real confidence in him and I'm just thrilled. I've been at the Meadowlands my whole life; to win this race, I just can't believe it."