Meadowlands: Eastie Boy keeps foes at bay in Governor's Cup

Eastie Boy remained resolute in Hades' crosshairs to capture the Grade 1 $300,000 Governor's Cup, for 2-year-old male pacers, on Saturday (Nov. 14) at the Meadowlands.

The race saw 3-5 favorite Eastie Boy and driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. follow up their 1:50 1/5 win in the Grade 2 Matron Stakes at Bally's Dover with an identical clocking over the Big M's one-mile oval.

After getting away third behind a 27 2/5 first-quarter duel between Seine (Joe Bongiorno) and Billy Hill (Todd McCarthy), Wrenn Jr. brushed Eastie Boy to the fore upon reaching the backstretch, and the pair were met by a stern first-over challenge from Hades (Tim Tetrick) through middle fractions of 55 2/5 and 1:22 1/5. while Seine drafted from the pocket. Turning for home, Wrenn Jr. asked Eastie Boy for all he had, and the Sweet Lou-Rockin Racer colt dug in through a 28 second closing sectional to keep Hades a half length at bay. Seine finished a one-paced third.

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"As the year progressed, he got better and better and he peaked at the right time," said Wrenn Jr., who drove Eastie Boy for trainer Ron Burke. "The last couple months, he's been in top form, and he showed it tonight. He was awesome tonight."

"His last three starts, he got really good," said Phil Collura, who shares ownership in the homebred Eastie Boy with Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi. "I thought in the Breeders Crown if he got out a little earlier he would have won, but he was smoking late. He's just been getting better and better all the time.

"It's always fun when they're homebreds - Louprint and now this one. It's been a great run."

Eastie Boy, now a six-time winner who has earned $788,932 from 13 starts, paid $3.20 to win.