Andiotis rolls in Westerner at Northlands

Andiotis came from off the pace to win the $50,000 Westerner Handicap at Northlands Park Saturday.

With Rico Walcott aboard, Andiotis was more than eight lengths behind during the early stages of the 1 1/16-mile race while Shem and Smile N Wave were carving out fractions of 24.20 seconds and 47.40. They were still dueling after six-furlongs in 1:12 when Andiotis was just starting to kick into gear. He made a strong move while going four-wide into the stretch and drew off to win by 4 1/2 lengths over Mr. Shadar.

Cool Ventura edged a tiring Smile N Wave for third. Final time for the race was 1:44.80.

Trainer Jim Meyaard, who was acting on behalf of Side Management Ltd., claimed Andiotis for $10,000 out of his last start. Andiotis paid $12. With the win, Meyaard has won every stakes race for older horses at the meet. Salt Flat Speed, who was a vet scratch Saturday morning, had swept the first three for Meyaard.