Riggins makes bold move, holds on to win

Even-money favorite Riggins had to overcome ambushers from every direction in deep stretch, but gamely held on to win a thrilling first division of the first leg of the Aquarius Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Driven by Dave Miller, Riggins [$4.00, $2.40, $2.10] was reserved early, but took command of the race as the field entered the far turn.  In the stretch, Riggins maintained a narrow lead, and was all out nearing the wire to hold off the late charging Bettor Sweet [$3.20, $2.20].

Blueridge Western lost the second-place photo with Bettor Sweet and paid $2.20 to show.

Riggins, who ran the mile in a lifetime best 1:50.1, is now a perfect two-for-two since being switched to trainer Casie Coleman.  With the win, the four-year-old surpassed $500,000 in career earnings for owner Bulletproof Enterprises. 

In the second division of the first leg of the Aquarius, Southwestern Dream and Hall of Fame driver John Campbell pulled off a shocking pylon-skimming score at 33-1. 

Reserved early off a blistering pace set by Lookout Hanover, Southwestern Dream [$68.80, $15.00, $5.40] was gapped in fourth on the far turn, but stayed glued to the pylons in the stretch to just get up over 6-5 favorite Lucky Man [$3.40, $2.60] in a career-best 1:50.

Lookout Hanover [$2.40] finished third after setting blistering early fractions of 26.3, 53.4 and 1:21.1.

The win was Southwestern Dream’s tenth of his career, pushing his lifetime earnings over the $200,000 mark for owner Frank Bellino and trainer Bruce Saunders. (Meadowlands)

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