Meadowlands: Bettor's Wish cruises in final appearance

On his final night of racing, Bettor's Wish made it look easy, capturing the $340,000 TVG Open Pace in style for driver Dexter Dunn with an open-lengths 1:48 1/5 score at the Meadowlands on Saturday.

Sent off as the 1-2 favorite, Bettor's Wish asserted his quickness at the outset, getting right to the front. Southwind Ozzi and driver Dan Dube had to work to get past him at the 27 1/5 opening quarter, but Dunn wanted no part of a two-hole trip and quickly regained with Bettor's Wish.

After a 54 2/5 rated half, Bettor's Wish continued on the lead as This Is The Plan pulled out of third on the final turn but failed to make progress. Dunn called on Bettor's Wish shortly before the 1:22 1/5 three-quarters had been passed. The son of Bettor's Delight opened ground in a heartbeat and was gone from the field. With Dunn hardly asking for much, Bettor's Wish, a 4-year-old, drew clear with a 26 second final quarter in capturing his 24th victory over a three-year career.

Bettor's Wish paid $3.00 in defeating Backstreet Shadow, with This Is The Plan holding on for third.

Scheduled to stand as a stallion full-time in 2021 at Diamond Creek Farm, Bettor's Wish concluded his racing career for trainer Chris Ryder, who also co-owns along with Bella Racing, Fair Island Farms, and Bettor's Wish Partners. The victory pushed his career earnings above $2.6 million and likely sealed divisional honors.

"He was as good as I thought he would be," said Ryder following the win. "It's sad to retire the horse, but it's the right thing to do by him."

For Dunn, who captured his third TVG Final of the night with the Bettor's Wish score, it was also the third champion that went out a winner on the card.

"He felt good scoring down, and I wasn't going to sit a two-hole with him," Dunn said about his strategy. "He pretty much did it on his own."