Eastern Alliance upsets

In a stunning shocker, Eastern Alliance N sprung a 15-1 upset in the $118,500 Overbid Series final for older mare pacers Friday night at the Meadowlands. The Down Under-bred scored in 1:51.1, edging favored Loyal Opposition and Burning Point by a neck in a blanket finish.



"The trip worked out well but anyone has to be surprised to beat those three mares (Loyal Opposition, Burning Point and Restive Hanover), who have been at the top all winter," said winning driver John Campbell. "She's a little hard to maneuver. When she comes off her cover, she gives you a good run. The trip worked out perfect, getting to follow Loyal Opposition into the stretch. She was full of pace and had a real good shot from the top of the stretch. If you don't have to use her early, she gives you a good run."



The 5-year-old daughter of Village Jasper is trained by Ross Croghan for owner Katherine Bardis. With the winner's share of $59,280, she nearly doubled her career bankroll to $127,780.



"I was surprised she beat these mares," admitted Croghan. "It was a last-minute thing. She went a real good race at Cal Expo three days before nominations were due here. I asked them (the owners) if they wanted to go in. They were gung ho, and we got lucky. Things worked out well." (Meadowlands)

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