Meadowlands: Mach It So stars in TVG Open Pace final

After finishing second in the TVG Open Pace final each of the last two years, Mach It So did one spot better this season, claiming the $350,000 final Saturday night at the Meadowlands in 1:49 2/5.

All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley) was fastest away from the gate and clicked off the first quarter in 26 2/5. Mach It So (David Miller), who claimed the W.R. Haughton Memorial at the Meadowlands earlier this year, was parked out from post six and drove on, taking the advantage in the backstretch and ringing up the half in 54 4/5.

With Dealt A Winner (Andy Miller) first-over out of fifth at the half and not quickly advancing, Mach It So was able to steal a breather to the 1:23 1/5 three-quarters, and his cause was further aided by the fact that favored McWicked (Brian Sears) was stuck second-over on the dull cover.

Mach It So paced away turning for home, opening up a gap on the field, and although McWicked had plenty of pace on the end of the mile, he ran out of time, with Mach It So holding on to win by half a length. All Bets Off, a traffic-troubled Check Six (Yannick Gingras), and Mel Mara (Corey Callahan) completed the top-five finishers.

"I was a little bit worried on the first turn when it looked like I was going to get left out, but when the half flashed up in 54 4/5 I felt pretty good," offered the winning driver.

Mach It So is a 7-year-old Mach Three gelding trained by Jeff Bamond Jr. for owner Bamond Racing LLC. Mach It So is now a 40-time winner in his life, and he pushed his bankroll to $2,450,115. He was the 9-5 second choice behind McWicked (8-5) and paid $5.60 to win.

"He makes it easy, and he makes you look good," said Bamond Jr. "You get a little nervous when the race is going, but it's great when it ends. Once he got to the front he looked strong, and I was actually pretty confident turning for home. I was happy where McWicked was, a little too far back. Mach It So was strong and just held on.

"You'll see him next year. I would think he's done for the year. That was a good ending, and he earned a little vacation."