Meadowlands: Another statement win for McWicked in TVG Open Pace final

After Shartin, his main rival for Horse of the Year honors, won the TVG Open Mare Pace final earlier on the card, McWicked responded in kind, taking the $350,000 TVG Open Pace final from first-over in a dazzling 1:48 over the sloppy going.

Starting from the pole position in the group of seven, McWicked got away third for driver Brian Sears while Filibuster Hanover (Matt Kakaley) charged to the lead from post six and showed the way to the opening quarter in 27 seconds and the half in 54 2/5.

Filibuster Hanover continued to show the way at the 1:21 2/5 three-quarters, but McWicked had come first-over entering the far turn and was just a length behind him. Western Fame (Corey Callahan) was enjoying the view from the pocket at that point, and Dealt A Winner was on McWicked's cover from second-over.

In the stretch McWicked overhauled Filibuster Hanover, and then he edged away while under wraps, winning by a pair of lengths. Dealt A Winner came on to finish second at 40-1, with Filibuster Hanover, Western Fame, and All Bets Off (Andrew McCarthy) completing the top five finishers.

"He's been awesome all season," said winning trainer Casie Coleman. "I was a little worried when Filibuster got to the front and nobody was coming. I thought we might go a little bit slow fractions up front, but he was rolling along and it set up great. He's coming back to race next year as long as he's healthy and sound. It's scary to see that he keeps getting better and better, but he's as good right now as he was as a 3-year-old or earlier this season.

"We'll see what the voters think (about Horse of the Year), but he couldn't have been any better. Every single time he's stepped on the racetrack this horse has given 110 percent."

Coleman trains McWicked, a 7-year-old McArdle stallion, for owner Ed James and his S S G Stables. This was McWicked's 34th career victory, and he has now put away $3,900,376. He was the 1-9 favorite and returned $2.20 to win.