Freehold and East Rutherford, NJ — It was a big day for amateur races on Friday (Jan. 21) with two pace races held at two venues, Freehold during the afternoon and The Meadowlands at night.

In the first of two amateur races at Freehold, Dream Out Loud N (Joe Lee) took early command and never had a doubt as he won by 2-1/2 lengths, subbing for regular amateur driver Matt Zuccarello. He carved out sensible fractions and put up the fastest time of the day on the card, going through the mile in an impressive 1:56.3.

After the classy war horse broke his winning streak the week before, he did pick up his first win as a 15-year-old campaigner on the amateur circuit. Causway (McKenzie Sowers) finished second and R Maddy Blue Chip (Newton “Yogi” Sheridan rounded out the trifecta.

The winner is a 15-year-old owned by Winners Circle Racing and John Campagnuolo and trained by Dennis A. Laterza.

The second amateur race at Freehold found another wire-to-wire victor, with Big Bad Bill (Robert Hechkoff) winning by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:59.1. Rockinwiththebest (Nicole Dicostanzo) ended up second and Extradite N (Joe Lee) rounded out the trifecta.

The winner is an 8-year-old gelding owned by Hechkoff’s R.B.H. Ventures Inc. and trained by Vincent Stallworth.

In the first of two races in the night session held at The Meadowlands, it was Joe Lee who found himself in the winner’s circle for the second time Friday by guiding Franco Tristan N to a 2-1/4 length victory in a time of 1:54.1. After a disqualification, Hes Gone Badder (Anthony Verruso) was placed second and Mv Ok Palacio Br (Rob Harmon) rounded out the trifecta.

The winner is a 10-year-old gelding owned by Scheigert Racing Stable and trained by Amanda Kelley.

In the final amateur race of the evening, Notabadgame (Anthony Verruso) came from mid-pack to win by a neck over a late closing My Delight (Anthony Beltrami). Ferdinand A (James Slendorn), who was the long time leader, faded to third. The mile went in 1:54.3.

The winner is a 7-year-old gelding owned by P T Stable and trained by Symon Spicer.

The racing will continue next Friday at both venues.