Meadowlands: Always A Prince sharp in TVG Open Pace final rout

Always A Prince made every call a winning one in posting a minor upset in the $350,000 TVG Open Pace final at the Meadowlands on Saturday night, scoring for driver Yannick Gingras in 1:48 2/5.

The race was billed as a match-up between top sophomore Bettor's Wish and Breeders Crown winner American History, but Gingras made it a virtual one-horse affair by flashing quick speed from post eight with Always A Prince and never looking back. Joining Always A Prince in the early action was McWicked and Dorsoduro Hanover. Always A Prince had control in a 27 second opener and Dorsoduro Hanover sat in the pocket. With McWicked in third and American History fourth, Gingras was able to back down the half to an extremely comfortable 55 seconds flat as Brian Sears waited as long as possible to put McWicked into gear in what was his final race.

Always A Prince kept McWicked and the outer tier in check through three-quarters as American History rolled up behind cover second-over and 2-1 favorite Bettor's Wish was mired third-over in the dull flow. Always A Prince got the jump on the field, and at headstretch he shifted into another gear and opened an insurmountable lead on his rivals. The battle was only for second, with the winner kicking home in a blistering 26 1/5 final quarter. Bettor's Wish showed his true character, overcoming the dull flow and pacing over all rivals but one to complete his sophomore season in style with a second-place finish. American History finished third, with Dorsoduro Hanover fourth.

Sent off as a 5-1 offering, Always A Prince returned $12 while winning for the fourth time this year. Tyler George trains the Indiana-bred son of Always A Virgin for owners Carl and Melanie Atley of Ohio.

It was the first time Gingras has driven Always A Prince.

"He left a good impression," Gingras said following the victory.

As for the strategy, the driver wasn't surprised he was able to control the race.

"I didn't see a crazy amount of speed inside," he offered.

The race was the finale for three of the participants with McWicked, the 2018 Horse of the Year, making his 110th and final appearance and coming up a hair short in his bid for $5 million in career earnings. Courtly Choice and American History are also retiring and moving along to stallion careers in 2020.