Winbak Speed assumed command of the lead midway down the backstretch and never looked back as he cruised to an easy four-length win in Saturday night’s featured $35,000 Invitational at the Meadowlands.

 

Driven by Ron Pierce, Winbak Speed [$5.40, $2.80, $2.40] tracked in fourth position through the opening quarter mile, but quickly moved to the front after a half mile in 54.4 and never looked back, finishing the mile in 1:50.2.

 

Soul Chaser [$2.80, $2.40], the 7-5 favorite, rallied to challenge for the lead at the top of the stretch, but had to settle for second, four lengths in front of Noble Falcon [$2.80] in third.

 

The win was the 21st of Winbak Speed’s career, as the six-year-old pushed his career earnings over $350,000 for owners Melvin Wayne Givens, Seaford and Neil J. Gargiulo.

 

Winbak Speed, along with many others from this race, is nominated to the Presidential Series that kicks off next Saturday night.

 

Facing older company for the first time, Bettor Sweet extended his streak to four with an impressive 1:49.4 mile in the $33,000 ninth race open.

 

Cat Manzi steered the 4-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight to his second straight sub-1:50 mile.  Bettor Sweet capped his 3-year-old season with a sweep of the Oil Burner Series, which included a 1:49.4 stakes record clocking in the $63,500 final on Dec. 20.

 

Bettor Sweet won nine of 17 and $315,000 in 2008.  Trainer Joe Poliseno and owner John Cancelliere are pointing the pacer toward the three-week Aquarius Series for 4-year-olds, which begins Feb. 7 and culminates in an estimated $75,000 final.

 

Live racing continues Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands with a post time of 1:10 pm.