‘MAD MAX’ OUTGAMES FOR ONCE INMY LIFE AGAIN AT BIG M
In a stretch duel reminiscent of the one that took place just seven days ago, Mad Max Hanover got passed in the lane for a second straight start by For Once Inmy Life, and for a second straight start, came back along the inside to come out on top in a thrilling duel in the Saturday night feature at The Meadowlands, a $25,000 winners-over pace ...
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- March 8, 2025 -- In a stretch duel reminiscent of the one that took place just seven days ago, Mad Max Hanover got passed in the lane for a second straight start by For Once Inmy Life, and for a second straight start, came back along the inside to come out on top in a thrilling duel in the Saturday night feature at The Meadowlands, a $25,000 winners-over pace.
Predictably, For Once Inmy Life, the 6-5 favorite, and Mad Max Hanover, the 3-2 second choice, left the gate quickly from posts six and seven, respectively, in the seven-horse field.
Jordan Stratton, driving For Once Inmy Life, wanted to race on the front end, but like last week, had to settle for a pocket trip, as after he had the lead at the quarter in :27.1, Mad Max Hanover then cleared at the three-eighths before hitting the half in :55.1.
The action heated up at three-quarters. For Once Inmy Life vacated the rail as Mad Max Hanover hit that station in 1:22.4.
It was time for another stretch battle.
“That was my game plan. Try to be the last one to the front because that’s really where he likes his job the most,” said winning driver Brett Beckwith. “It was a really game effort. I thought it was going to be a really good stretch duel and it was again. We had two horses going neck and neck the whole time.”
Just like last week’s script, For Once Inmy Life grabbed a narrow edge with an eighth of a mile to go, but again, ‘Max’ was up to the difficult task at hand.
“It was a really big effort,” said Beckwith. “Honestly, I didn’t know [if I was going to come back] because Jordan’s horse is so nice. But my horse is as gritty as they come. Mad Max loves his job.”
Nearing the wire, Mad Max Hanover came back along inside, this time recording a head win over For Once Inmy Life in 1:49.4, his second sub-1:50 win of 2025. On Feb. 22, he recorded the fastest mile of the year in the sport with a 1:48.2 clocking. Sport Secret finished third.
“Horses don’t get passed like that and fight back, it’s just not something they do,” said Beckwith. “So, for him to do it, it’s always impressive.”
After registering his fourth consecutive win, Mad Max Hanover, a 6-year-old gelded son of Always B Miki-Mayhem Seelster, now has 18 wins from 73 lifetime starts. The Jake Leamon trainee, who is owned by Marvin Rounick, now has earnings of $832,973. He paid $5 to win.
OTTEN AWESOME: How could it have gone any other way on International Women’s Day?
Big M TV’s Jessica Otten selected eight winners on top on the 14-race program, including Fredneck ($9.80 to win) in the second race; Bonaparte ($12.40) in the sixth; Dance It Out ($9) in the seventh; and Jojo’s Place ($9.20) in the 14th.
Emily Ratcliff, who sat alongside Otten as the co-host of the simulcast presentation, tabbed six on top. She also gave out the Late Pick-4, and because she recommended a base bet of $2.50, gave her followers a return of $206.75.
A LITTLE MORE: Beckwith continued his scorching-hot ways. The 22-year-old pilot won five races on the card, becoming the fourth driver this year to accomplish that feat, joining Jason Bartlett, Dave Miller and Braxten Boyd. Over the last six programs, Beckwith has won 20 races and now sits atop The Big M driver standings with 37 victories. … All-source handle totaled $3,293,373. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.
