WHOLE LOTTA LOU TAKES BIG M FEATURE

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Whole Lotta Lou has had a whole lotta success lately at The Meadowlands, and Saturday night, the Stacy Chiodo trainee completed a three-race sweep of the Play Meadowlands Series final, an $18,000 event for pacers who were non-winners of $5,000 before the series’ opening leg on June 3.

The 5-year-old gelded son of Sweet Lou-Ideal Love was sent to the top Saturday night at the half and held sway to the wire, unlike a week ago, when he came from off the pace sneaking up the inside to score as the 2-5 favorite.

“(Last week) I took my chances sitting in, but it worked out. I got loose,” said winning driver Vic Kirby. “Even Stacy said ‘You are giving me a heart attack’. Tonight, it was a little easier.”

Whole Lotta Lou left the gate quickly from post seven in the seven-horse field (there was one scratch) and was second to leader Straight Talk at the quarter in :27 before taking the top and hitting the half in :55. Imaginary Line then came first-over to provide a challenge to the leader at three-quarters in 1:22.4, setting up a two-horse race to the finish.

Imaginary Line continued to chip away at the leader’s edge through the stretch but came up a big nose short in a driving finish as Whole Lotta Lou reached the wire in 1:49.4. Bet A Bundle was third.

“I couldn’t tell (if I had won),” said Kirby. “I thought maybe Corey (Callahan, driving Imaginary Line) nailed me on the wire, but when I saw the replay, it wasn’t as close as I thought.”

‘Lou’ returned $4.60 to his backers as the 6-5 public choice. He’s now won 14-of-53 lifetime outings, good for earnings of $163,725.

The trips up from his Delaware base to The Big M have been good to Kirby, who guided three to victory lane one week ago. “It makes the trip worthwhile,” said Kirby. “And makes the ride home a little easier.”

A LITTLE MORE: The amazing P L Ozzy ($3.20 to win) kept on rolling, winning his fourth straight in sensational fashion, stopping the teletimer in a lifetime-best 1:48.3 for driver Callahan and trainer Justin Sodano in the second leg of the Play Meadowlands Series for non-winners of $10,000. … Raptors Flight N failed in his bid for a sixth straight score, but didn’t miss by much. He got nailed by a nose at the wire by A Bettor Beach ($13.40) in 1:51.1 after providing live cover for that foe in leg two of the Play Meadowlands Series for claimers. … There were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6, setting up a carryover of $2,211 when racing resumes. … All-source wagering totaled $2,513,858 on the 13-race card. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

PHOTO: Whole Lotta Lou (inside, No. 8) holds on to take the Play Meadowlands Series final at The Big M Saturday night with Vic Kirby in the bike. (Credit: Lisa Photo)