Ford Finishes One-Two in Aquarius Opener

 (Meadowlands)Mark Ford trainees Handsome Harry and Keep It Real nabbed the lion's share of the $40,000 purse in the opening round of the Aquarius Series for 4-year-old pacers.

Handsome Harry burst through on the pylons to win the featured seventh race by a half-length over his stablemate in 1:51.  One of the early sophomore standouts last season, Keep It Real claimed the lead from Handsome Harry before the half and laid down middle fractions of 56.1 and 1:24 as they headed into the stretch.  Driver Yannick Gingras and Handsome Harry slipped through late for the victory, while Go Go Solano rallied on their outside to finish third.  Handsome Harry paid $17.40.

A star on the New York Sire Stakes circuit, Handsome Harry had a prolific 3-year-old season.  He finished first or second in 20 of 21 starts, racking up an impressive15 wins and $303,107 in earnings.  Ralph Del Priore Jr. of Memphis, NY and Harry Doyle of Matawan, NJ bred and own the son of Dream Away.

The three-week Aquarius Series continues with a second leg on Saturday, Feb. 13 and concludes with an estimated $84,000 final on Saturday, Feb. 20. (Meadowlands)