Gate to Wire Effort by Escape The News in Aquarius Final

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ— Escape The News, off a victory in leg 2, took the sextet of four-year-old pacers around the Meadowlands oval to win the $57,000 Aquarius Final on Saturday, March 16.

Escape The News got the top and Warrawee Needy tuck into second. Mr Dennis tracked them from third as Escape The News paced the quarter in :27. In Commando made a move to the outside approaching the half, supplying cover to Bakin On The Beach. Post time favorite Warrawee Needy and Mr Dennis were locked at the cones through a :55 (:28) rated half-mile.

In Commando was in pursuit of the lead into the far turn. Escape The News gave him the cold shoulder passing three-quarters in 1:22.4 (:27.4). Warrawee Needy had room to pace as In Commando faltered at the top of the stretch. Yo Cheyenne Rocky began passing tiring rivals and moved into third. Escape The News battled off a drifting Warrawee Needy through the stretch and held on by a ½ length to win in 1:49.3. Warrawee Needy was second, it was another 5 lengths back to Yo Cheyenne Rocky in third.

Escape The News ($5.00) is a four-year-old gelding by Artiscape, out of the mare Ideal News by Western Ideal. He is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Jjk Stables and Howard Taylor, trained by Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras did the steering. 

Westwardho Hanover Takes First Leg of Aquarius

Saturday night at the Meadowlands featured the opening leg of the $35,000 Aquarius series. 12 horses will go post ward in both legs and the top 10 money earners will head to the final on Saturday, February 18.

Westwardho Hanover dominated the opening round of the Aquarius in 1:50.4. He made a first over move in the backstretch and took the lead from Camaes Fellow. Westwardho Hanover held on to the lead from the three-eighths down to the finish. Camaes Fellow held second, Art Z came up the pylons late and Townslight Hanover stormed late on the outside to get fourth.

Westwardho Hanover is by Dragon Again out of the mare Western Duel by Western Hanover. He is owned by Westward Ho Stable, trained by Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras was in the sulky. Westwardho Hanover returned $3.80 to win.