Meadowlands: Sweet Lou keeps his streak alive in Haughton Memorial for aged pacers

As if he had anything left to prove in 2014, Sweet Lou did it again in the $463,300 William Haughton Memorial for older pacers at the Meadowlands on Saturday night. The 5-year-old ran his win streak to six by rolling off cover for a 1:47 1/5 score.

The action was furious early as Bettor’s Edge fired off the gate in front of Bolt The Duer and Captaintreacherous. Once in command, Bettor’s Edge would feel immediate pressure as driver Tim Tetrick made a second move with Captaintreacherous past the 25 3/5 opening quarter. Those two would hook up with “Captain” eventually wrestling the lead away at the half in 53 seconds.

The field raced five-in and five-out approaching the three quarter marker with Thinking Out Loud leading a charge that included Sweet Lou, Captive Audience, Foiled Again and Sunshine Beach in behind.

Captaintreacherous and Thinking Out Loud would go nose to nose around the final turn and into the stretch with Sweet Lou sitting pretty behind cover. As they straightened away in the lane, Captaintreacherous would finally fend off Thinking Out Loud but had to settle for third as he could not stave off pocket-sitter Bettor’s Edge and the strong surge from a fresh Sweet Lou.

“I was really happy when Campbell (John, Thinking Out Loud) pulled. Even though Sweet Lou could have done it by himself,” said winning driver Ron Pierce about the trip.

The final time of 1:47 1/5 was just a fifth-of-a-second off the stakes record and two-fifths off the all-time record of 1:46 4/5.

“There was no sense in going more than we had to and it wasn’t ideal conditions,” said Pierce. “There is no if ands or buts about it, this horse will break the world record on the right day.”

Sweet Lou won for the sixth time in nine starts this year and increased his yearly earnings to $642,650 for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Larry Karr and Phillip Collura. The Ron Burke trainee paid $4.00 to win.

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