‘FADE’ TRIPS OUT, TAKES TRACKMASTER AT BIG M

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Fade Out proved to be highly competitive in the first two legs of the TrackMaster Series for fillies and mares on the pace with a rating of 84 or less, but came up short on both occasions.

Friday night at The Meadowlands, in the series’ $23,000 final, a perfect trip for the Jeff Cullipher trainee led to a jaunt down victory lane.

“Good trips make for happiness,” said winning driver Tim Tetrick. “She’s been knocking on the door and finally got it done tonight.”

After finishing a close-up third and second in her attempts in the preliminaries, all went well in the final, as Fade Out sat fifth to the half while the top two choices – 5-2 shots Pattycake Mooss and Anna’s Wish – were at each other’s throats through a half of :55.4 over a track rated ‘sloppy.’

Around the far turn, Tetrick had Fade Out, a 5-year-old by Sportswriter-Fade, in perfect second-over striking position following last week’s leg two upset winner Two Pistol Annie as Anna’s Wish hit three-quarters in 1:23.2. From there, Fade Out was tipped off her cover as they straightened up for the stretch drive and paced right by her foes to record a safe three-quarter-length win in 1:51.1. Century Jamila, who blasted away from post 10 to lead at the quarter in :27.3, finished second, with leg one winner Dontkarenifido third.

“I think that’s her best game, sit back and see what happens,” said a mud-covered Tetrick in the post-race back paddock interview. “Luckily, turning for home, we were second-over and got the right trip. Last week, I thought she would win and hung a little [when second]. When she gets on a roll, she’s a pretty nice mare.”

Owned by Pollack Racing, Fade Out now has 20 wins from 69 lifetime starts, good for earnings of $367,387. As the 4-1 third choice in the wagering, she returned $10.00 to her backers.

CARRYOVER CRAZY: There will be a pair of carryovers for players to shoot for on the Saturday card.

The key to the carryovers was Hurrymiki Hanover, who took the seventh race at odds of 48-1, topping a Trifecta that returned a whopping $12,236. There were no winning tickets sold in the 10-cent Hi-5 (Pentafecta), creating a carryover of $13,569 for Saturday’s seventh race.

The best players could do in the 20-cent Pick-6 was five winning selections, which was good for a payout of $24.82. The carryover for Saturday’s fourth race P6 is $3,087.

A LITTLE MORE: Todd McCarthy followed up his four-winner night last Saturday with a three-bagger to lead the driver colony. He has nine wins over the last three race cards. … Cullipher and Cory Stratton each had training doubles. … All-source handle totaled $3,113,950 on the 14-race card, the 30^th time in 2024 that wagering surpassed $3 million from a total of 36 programs. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m. with early Hambletonian favorite Karl the featured attraction in New Jersey Sire Stakes action.

PHOTO: Fade Out and driver Tim Tetrick won the TrackMaster Series final at The Meadowlands Friday night. (Credit: Lisa Photo)