Art History displayed his considerable back class powering clear of seven overmatched harness racing foes to take the Meadowlands Saturday night featured $13,000 conditioned pace.
The Steve Elliott trainee was handled aggressively from the start by driver John Campbell and battled for the early lead around the first turn with longshot Totally Dreamy, who had the front at the quarter in a quick :26.1.
Campbell quickly moved the 5-year-old gelded son of Western Ideal to the top before the three-eighths as the field was in a straight line at the half in :55. Jacksrluckytoo raced uncovered to challenge the leader at three-quarters in 1:23, but from there Art History accelerated clear of the field through the stretch, stopping the teletimer in 1:49.4. It was two lengths back to Jacksrluckytoo, who held on for second. Ideal Shadow was third.
As the 1-2 favorite, Art History paid $3 to win for owners Kenneth Klein and the Old Block Stables and now has four wins in 12 seasonal starts.
CARRYOVER CARRIES ON:
Once again, the 12th race 20 cent Jackpot Super High Five went unhit, swelling the carryover for the next program to $209,002.94. … Joe Bongiorno had a big night, driving four winners on the card. … All-source wagering on the program totaled $2,980,296, an increase of $342,008 over the corresponding card from a year ago. … The Big M is back on short rest with a special Sunday Mother's Day program that gets underway at 12:40 p.m. The featured first race is the $150,000 Mack Lobell Elitlopp Playoff.
by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations