Meadowlands: Put On A Show among 4 millionaires in Overbid final on Saturday

It is not often that four million-dollar earners race on the same card, no less the same race. On Saturday at New Meadowlands, the star-studded $101,750 Overbid final for free-for-all mares features nine ladies of immense talent and career earnings well over $9.5 million.[bc_video_id:246444:]

The richest of the rich is Put On A Show at $1,898,275. The first leg of the Overbid was her comeback attempt after missing the entire 2011 season. The daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Stienam’s Place was never involved in her first start of 2012 while starting from post 10 but improved nicely to be a solid third in leg two of the series.

“She’s coming along fine,” said driver Brian Sears. “I didn’t have high expectations for her because of the layoff. People put so much pressure on these horses to come back sharp.

“Last week (leg two) I rattled out of there and she was really good. I got caught behind horses, but it was just her second start and I would rather get locked in than do something foolish. It was a positive start.”

Her main competition is sure to come from 2011 Pacing Mare of the Year Anndrovette. The 5-year-old closed well in the opening leg but was nowhere to be found while chasing slow fractions in the second round.

“I didn’t want to be in a spot where I had to torture her,” said regular driver Tim Tetrick on his tactics in leg two of the series. “If she would have drawn posts 4, 5 or 6, I would have raced her differently.”

While she drew outside (post 8) in the final, Tetrick says we can expect a new strategy: “We will definitely be going forward, that’s her best game. I know she will give a great effort."

Higher And Higher has been the queen of the division so far this season. The Daryl Bier charge swooped past the field in the stretch to capture the second leg of the series and has five wins in seven starts for the year.

Round one winner Rocklamation could offer the highest price of all the previously mentioned contenders. The Ron Burke trainee has shown little early speed and driver Yannick Gingras will have to overcome post nine in the final.

Burke also sends out Ginger And Fred, Rock N Soul, and Tea Party Princess (all uncoupled for wagering purposes) in the final. Of the trio, Tea Party Princess, who finished second in both preliminary legs, would appear to be the most likely win candidate.

Rounding out the packed field is $1,881,550 winner Chancey Lady and Royal Cee Cee N.

The Overbid, which kicks off a $75,000-guaranteed pick four, is slated as race six on the card with an approximate post time of 8:41 p.m. Eastern.

Also on the docket during the 12-race program is the $78,400 Four Leaf Clover final for 5-year-olds and under who were non-winners of 6 races or $200,000 lifetime through Dec. 10, 2011.

First leg runner-up and second round winner Fools Gold is the likely public choice come post time (8:20). The son of I Am A Fool is another from the powerful Daryl Bier stable that is racing for the big bucks. But in a rare twist Bier elected not to drive Fools Gold.
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“[Daryl] didn’t want to come up again to drive,” said Tetrick, who eagerly offered his services. “He told me that I had to warm him up and if I didn’t get beat I could drive him in the final.”

Risk Management appears to have the best shot at the upset. Coupled with Intrigued Royalty for the Burke stable, the 4-year-old gelding sports the opposite series line of Fools Gold. having won the first leg and lost by a neck in leg two.

The Four Leaf Clover is race five on the program, which gets underway at 7 p.m.