From Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ — Split The House gave trainer James “Friday” Dean his third Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic victory and Wicked Little Minx overcame post 10 and a first-over trip to win the Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey as the spotlight was on New Jersey-sired 3-year-old pacers on Saturday night, July 25, 2015 at the Meadowlands.

Lisa photo

Split The House, driven by Randy Waples, won the NJ Classic on Saturday night at The Meadowlands.

In the hands of Randy Waples, Split The House [$8.60], a son of Rocknroll Hanover – Shake The Junk, got up for a half-length tally over Revenge Shark [Cam’s Card Shark] while 6-5 favorite Artspeak [Western Ideal], the Dan Patch divisional champion at two, was third by a length and a quarter in the eleventh race.

The $200,000 New Jersey Classic and the $100,000 Miss New Jersey are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.

Friday Dean harnessed previous winners Big Jim in 2011 and Panther Hanover in 2012.

“He’s a nice horse with all the parts,” said Waples of Split The House. “His only flaw was that he was silly behind the gate, but he’s turned the corner [after some equipment changes].

“I just wanted to draft as long as I could [behind Artspeak],” Waples added. “Then he swelled up and dug in.”

Split The House, bred by Fair Winds Farm of Cream Ridge, NJ, paced the mile in 1:48.3.

A $60,000 Harrisburg Sale purchase, Split The House was unraced at two and has now won seven of nine starts, including three straight. He has banked $162,158 for Ontario owners Scott Horner of Toronto, Peter Milligan of Mississauga and James J. Dean of Guelph.

Wicked Little Minx captured the filly companion race, the Miss New Jersey, the seventh race.

“She’s like a big diesel truck,” said winning trainer Nancy Johansson of the Rocknroll Hanover–Beachy Lady filly who was driven to her second win of the year by Brett Miller.

She coasted past Stacia Hanover [Western Ideal], who cut most of the mile. It was 2-1/2 lengths to 6-5 favorite The Show Returns {Rocknroll Hanover], who had limited room trying to slip up the rail and finished third.

Wicked Little Minx [$6.60], a $50,000 Harrisburg Sale purchase by Courant AB of Stockholm, Sweden, improved her record to two wins, one second and three thirds from eight starts this year and 10 of 19 in-the-money lifetime. Her $109,199 earnings this year lifted her total to $157,234. She was bred by Perretti Farms of Cream Ridge, NJ.

The Jackpot Super Hi-5 went unclaimed again on Saturday night and that carryover now stands at $219,579 into the Friday, July 31 racing program.