In his latest challenge, the impressive Oakwood Ardan IR once again proved his mettle, securing his sixth consecutive victory since arriving from Great Britain last September.
The Irish-bred gelding, trained by Robert Cleary, made his North American debut last fall and showcased his prowess by winning at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Nov. 28 with a time of 1:56.4.
Making his first official start at The Meadowlands on Dec. 16, the five-year-old son of Sweet Lou-Trend Setter wasted no time in asserting his dominance, crossing the finish line in 1:50.4. Transitioning to a higher class level on Saturday night, Oakwood Ardan IR faced older competitors for the first time but rose to the occasion, clinching victory in the $24,324 feature event.
Cleary expressed his satisfaction with Oakwood Ardan IR's performance, stating,
"He's quite adept at chasing down his rivals and does so with finesse."
Driver Andy McCarthy expertly guided the favoured gelding to victory, positioning him strategically before making a strong move in the latter stages of the race to overtake the frontrunner and secure a well-deserved win in 1:52.3.
Impressed by the horse's talent, Cleary remarked,
"I underestimated his abilities initially, but he has proven to be a remarkably fast and determined competitor. His owners, who display unwavering support and enthusiasm, truly deserve a champion like him."
Oakwood Ardan IR, owned by Royal Wire Products Inc., has now amassed an impressive record of 15 wins in 34 lifetime outings. As the public favourite at odds of 3-5, he returned $3.20 for the win. McCarthy's stellar performance on the night, securing five wins on the 14-race card, marked a standout achievement, making him the second driver in 2024 to accomplish this feat alongside Jason Bartlett.
Trainers Crissy Crissman-Bier and Jeff Cullipher also enjoyed success, each capturing two victories. The betting action remained lively, with the all-source handle reaching $3,218,328, extending The Meadowlands' streak of programs with wagering exceeding $3 million to nine consecutive nights. Thus far in the year, 13 out of 15 programs have surpassed the $3 million mark in total handle, reflecting the strong and consistent support from bettors.