Bettor Sweet, Major's General and Stretch Artist post victories

Bettor Sweet gamely fought back in deep stretch to regain the lead from apparent winner The Awful Truth to win the first division of the Oil Burner for 3-year-old colts and geldings Saturday night at the Meadowlands in 1:51.

Driven by Cat Manzi, Bettor Sweet [$3.00, $2.40, $2.40] assumed the lead soon after the first turn and maintained that positioned until deep stretch. The Awful Truth [$6.00, $5.00] and driver Ron Pierce passed Bettor Sweet with about 1/16 of a mile to go, and appeared on the way to victory, but the Joseph Poliseno trainee fought back on the inside in the shadow of the wire to regain the lead.

Long shot Real Town Guy finished third in the night’s 3rd race.

With the win, Bettor Sweet broke the $260,000 mark in career earnings for owner John Cancelliere.

In the second division of the Oil Burner, 3-5 favorite Major’s General, with driver Andy Miller, rode a first-over trip to victory in 1:52.1 for trainer Erv Miller.

Major General [$3.20, $2.40, $2.10] ran down pacesetter, and eventual third-place finisher, Major Hottie [$2.40] in the stretch after that colts set quick early fractions of 26.4 and 54.4. Auctioneer and driver Brian Sears finished second in the night’s 4th race.

With the win, Major General improved his career record to 4-6-1 from 15 starts and surpassed the $200,000 in career earnings for Brittany Farms and Reality Stable.

In the third division of the Oil Burner, Stretch Artist closed late to shock the field at 35-1 in 1:52.

Driven by George Brennan, Stretch Artist [$72.60, $26.60, $10.20] was still fourth with 1/8 of a mile to go, but the Joe Anderson trainee paced strongly to the wire for his fifth-career victory. Valentowner [$4.00, $2.80] and driver David Miller finished second and it was another ½-length back to Rocknroll Band [$3.00] in third.

The win improved Stretch Artist’s career record to 5-3-0 in 16 starts for owner Gerrie Tucker.

A trio of Billings Series amateur driving championships was also contested Saturday night at the Meadowlands. In the $25,000 Gold Cup, Thomas Williams and DW’s Perky Joe shook loose late and drew off to a 4 1/2-length victory in 2:14.2. Stephen Oldford and Eng-Amer Bobby were second, while ABS Speedy Hall and Tom Miller held on for third.

Williams was the overall 2007 Billings Amateur Driving Champion. He and DW’s Perky Joe also teamed to win the Billings Mid-West Series Final on Nov. 23 at Balmoral Park. A resident of Charlotte, NC, Williams recently founded a foreclosure residential property management company. Jon Anderson of Greenfield, IN owns and trains DW’s Perky Joe.

Michelle Ruvola and Spit Happens scored a Billings Series hat trick as they nosed out George Casale and Perfect Gerry in the $15,000 Silver Cup. Spit Happens, trained by Jill Millette, trotted the nine furlongs in 2:16. It was a half-length back to Howard Gelfand and SJ’s Chuck in third. George and Rose Bonomo of Naperville, IN own Spit Happens.

In the $7,500 Bronze Cup, Dein Spriggs and De Niro G rallied to a 2 1/2-length victory in 2:15.3. Vladimir Melnichenko and Prime Number were second, while David Yarock and Stillbrook were third. (Meadowlands)

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