IdaBet players, in recent weeks, local standouts Dovuto Hanover and Rockeyed Optimist made their seasonal debuts at The Meadowlands, showing no lack of late staying power in upper-level events. On Saturday (March 5) night, not only do they both rise to Open company, but they square off against a pair of Ron Burke trainees in Dynamic Youth and Take It Back Terry–both of which come off the bench to kick off their 2016 seasons in the evening’s $25,000 feature.
Millionaire Dynamic Youth, a 29-time winner, returns off a lone qualifier after spending last fall racing in Open events throughout the Mid-Atlantic with varying success. Andy Miller drives the 7-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding from post 5. Burke stablemate Take It Back Terry will start right alongside in post 6, likewise coming back off a lone qualifier after winning five of his last seven Open attempts at Yonkers last fall. Joe Bongiorno handles the driving duties on the 7-year-old Western Terror gelding, as he did in last week’s qualifier.
The Burke duo are not likely to have an easy time of it on debut, though, as 5/2 morning line favorite Rockeyed Optimist (post 7) rises off a powerful four-length win in an upper-level event two weeks ago. In both his seasonal starts–that win and a near miss on debut two weeks prior–the 5-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding sprinted home with final quarters faster than :27. Andy McCarthy takes the lines for trainer Steve Elliott. Likewise, Dovuto Hanover (post 2, 5/1) is sharpening up, having made significant ground up the pegs in his seasonal debut last week. Scott Zeron opted to drive the Nifty Norman-trained 6-year-old over two other nominations in the field.
Lucrative opportunities await punters throughout the 13-race card, including the usual Pick 5 (beginning in race 3) and Pick 4s (races 5 and 9) with their combined $105,000 in guaranteed pools. Additionally, two 20¢ Jackpot High 5 wagers await players in the seventh and final races–the latter currently boasting a carryover in excess of $116,000 in advance of Friday’s card.
Post time is slated for 6:35 p.m. Eastern.
