Meadowlands: Highalator rules in Golden Receiver Series final

Highalator brought his usual high-speed show to the Meadowlands Saturday night, and the result was a fifth win in seven starts at the Big M in 2019, as the Jenny Bier trainee completed a four-race sweep of the Golden Receiver Series for pacers by scoring in the $60,000 final.

“I haven’t had an opportunity to drive a horse like him,” said winning driver Ricky Still. “And since I have, we’ve had such good luck.”

Highalator was on the go early, and so was Western Joe, who had the top at the quarter in 26 2/5. Still moved Highalator to the point soon thereafter, clearing to the top just before the three-eighths. A 28 1/5 second fraction proved to be more than enough of a breather for the horse who had won all three preliminary Golden Receiver legs.

The 5-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere-Higher And Higher opened up on Western Joe to lead by 2 1/4 lengths at three-quarters, then powered home in 26 seconds to stop the clock in a lifetime-best equaling 1:48. It was 2 1/2 lengths back to a fast-closing Sweet Rock. Western Joe held third.

Highalator, who is owed by Bier, Joann Dombeck and Midsize Construction, has now won half of his 20 starts this year. Lifetime, he’s 31-for-66 and earned $516,197. As the 1-2 favorite, he paid $3.00 to win.

“It’s a dream come true to drive a horse like him,” said Still.

--press release (Meadowlands)--