Aquarius thrillers highlight big M Saturday card

It was a pair of thrillers in the $40,000 second leg of the Aquarius as Lookout Hanover and Its That Time captured their respective divisions Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

In the night’s first division, Lookout Hanover [$9.20, $4.00, $2.60] ran huge from first over to hold off the late charge of 7-5 favorite Riggins for trainer Kevin McDermott. 

As the field entered the first turn, Lookout Hanover settled fourth behind the quick early pace set by Prize Art and Atochia.

Nearing the far turn, driver Tim Tetrick rushed Lookout Hanover up first over and the pair had the lead coming into the stretch.  It appeared Riggins [$2.80, $2.20] might hit the wire first, but the photo went to Lookout Hanover, who paced the mile in 1:51.  Prize Art, who set the early pace, held on for third paying $2.40.

“There was good speed on the front,” Tetrick said. “They were going big fractions.  [In the stretch], I could feel Riggins on my back, but my horse dug in and was very game.”

The win was the seventh in the career of Lookout Hanover who increased his lifetime earnings to over $180,000 for owner Francis Azur.

In the night’s second division, 19-1 long shot Its That Time used a perfect, second-over trip to upset for driver Dan Dube and trainer Mark Kesmodel.

Its That Time [$40.20, $13.60, $8.40] was reserved in fifth early, but moved out second over down the backstretch and continued on to get up in the shadow of the wire in 1:50.1.

Lucky Man [$4.20, $3.60] held on for second while Proper Respect [$13.20] finished third.

It was a bounce-back score for Its That Time who failed to fire in last week’s first leg.

“Last week something bothered him,” Dube said.  “I don’t know what happened, maybe he was sick.  Tonight he was back to himself.”

With the win, Its That Time surpassed $270,000 in career earnings for owner Bulletproof Enterprises.

The $84,000 Aquarius Final is next Saturday, February 21.