Lifetime-best effort takes Big M series leg

Mr. Apples cut the mile and battled gamely through the stretch to win the $40,000 divison of the Aquarius Series on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Mr. Apples took control of the lead off the gate and fought off a late challenge from Artist’s View in the final strides to win by a nose in a personal best 1:51.1. It was 2 1/2 lengths back to Forensic Z Tam, who rallied in the stretch to finish third. Mr. Apples paid $8.40 to win.

“He was good tonight,” winning driver Brian Sears said. “It was a good mile for him. He did everything he needed to do to win. There are a couple of good horses in this series. Artist’s View was coming in off of two qualifiers. I am looking forward to him (Mr. Apples) being better next week.”

“He raced good, especially for being on the front end and needing to cut the fractions,” said Clyde Francis, assistant trainer for the George Teague stable. “I thought Big Business might be trouble for him tonight by looking at the program. He was going in the favorite.  It was his (Big Business) first start back so he is probably not as sharp.”

Mr. Apples, a 4-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight, captured his second victory in his sixth start of the year and increased his lifetime earnings to $301,868 for trainer/owner George and Brenda Teague of Harrington, Del.

The $71,800 Aquarius final is Saturday, Feb. 23. (Meadowlands) 

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