‘BRUE’ TRIPS OUT, TAKES BIG M FEATURE

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Dave Miller wasn’t exactly sure how things were going to go for him and Brue Hanover in the Saturday night featured $24,000 high-end conditioned pace at The Meadowlands, but a combination of early aggressiveness followed by typical Miller patience resulted with the pair in the winner’s circle at the conclusion of a 1:50.2 mile.

“I wasn’t sure how I was going to race him,” said the Hall of Fame pilot, who led the Big M driver colony in dash wins during 2024. “But it worked. I think I’ve actually [driven] him before and under-drove him, so tonight, I thought we’re going to take a shot [and leave the gate].”

Miller hit the gas pedal from post six in the nine-horse field (there was one scratch) at the start and had the point on a windy, chilly night in :27.2. That’s when Jordan Stratton put For Once Inmy Life in motion from the three-hole and quickly brushed to the top just after the three-eighths before hitting the half in :55.1.

Seeking a third straight win two weeks after beating Oakwood Heymiki IR, For Once Inmy Life turned for home with the lead off three-quarters in 1:23. But holding the advantage would prove too tough this time around.

Waiting until just inside the eighth pole, Miller moved Brue Hanover to the outside to challenge and achieved top gear nearing the wire to record a three-quarter-length win over a stubborn For Once Inmy Life. Chase H Hanover stayed close to the action throughout to finish a ground-saving third. Sport Secret, the 6-5 favorite, failed in his bid for a third straight score and finished fourth.

“I don’t know how it would have gone if we had raced on the lead,” said Miller. “But my horse got covered up and the trip worked out perfectly.”

A 5-year-old gelded son of Stay Hungry-Blind Ambition who is trained by Ron Burke, Brue Hanover returned $6 to his backers as the 2-1 second choice. He now has 19 wins from 66 lifetime starts, good for earnings of $294,581 for owners Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi.

BARTLETT KEEPS ROLLING: After winning six races one week ago on Jan. 4, the scalding-hot Jason Bartlett put up five more victories on the Saturday card.

The 43-year-old perennial Yonkers kingpin has been a Saturday sensation at The Big M of late. On Dec. 7, he won five times to become just the second driver in 2024 to win that many on a card twice. Bartlett then had a four-bagger on Dec. 28 as a prelude to his heroics over the last two weeks.

A LITTLE MORE: A carryover of just over $5,000 coerced players to bet $22,275 in “new money” into the 20-cent Pick-6 pool for a grand total of $27,448. After a sequence that saw winners’ odds of 1-2, 3-1, 2-1, 2-1, 3-5 and 1-1 many bettors collected the payout of $205.84. … Joe Bongiorno had a driving double and led the trainers with three victories. … Miller recorded his second straight 10-winner weekend after taking three walks down victory lane. … All-source handle totaled $3,263,716 on the 14-race card to complete the first $6 million weekend at The Big M since Nov. 29-30. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

PHOTO: Brue Hanover and driver Dave Miller won the Saturday night feature at The Meadowlands. (Credit: Lisa Photo)