Rocket Reign pays record for $2 win bet

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Meadowlands Racetrack set a record for a $2 win bet on a thoroughbred race.

Longtime loser Rocket Reign returned $366.60 to win Friday after capturing a maiden claiming race on the turf. The 4-year-old gelding, who had lost his first 15 career starts, was sent off as the long shot in the 10-horse field.

In getting to the winner’s circle, Rocket Reign and jockey Cory Orm rallied along the rail, ran down pacesetter and 7-5 favorite Media Groupie in late stretch and got to the finish line 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Atavism in the mile and 70 yards race. The long shot is owned and trained by Francis Meares.

The previous record of $354.80 for a $2 win wager was set by Great Normand in winning the 1980 Meadowlands Cup.