East Rutherford, NJ – Trolley got the better of arch rival Muscle Diamond for a second straight week in the feature, The Meadowlands paid tribute to civil rights legend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the 14th-race Jackpot High-Five was taken down for over $43,000 on an action-packed Friday night (Jan. 18) at the mile oval.

Trolley wore down Muscle Diamond to take Friday’s $21,000 Preferred Trot at The Meadowlands. Lisa Photo.

Trolley was at the top of his game once again, and while seven days prior he had luck on his side in the form of clearance in the stretch after a rail trip, this time around he determinedly earned his way to a third win in the $21,000 Preferred Handicap for trotters in his last four tries.

Trolley displayed early speed this time around – a completely different tactic than the week before – before yielding the point grudgingly to even-money favorite Muscle Diamond at the three-eighths.

The twosome sped clear of the field at the half in :55.2 as 5-2 third choice Melady’s Monet was activated from fifth, but this would be a two-horse battle to the finish.

Marcus Miller popped Trolley out of the pocket around the far turn, briefly providing cover for Melady’s Monet, and had 1 1/4 lengths to make up in the final three-sixteenths.

He chipped away at Muscle Diamond’s advantage through the lane before wearing down that foe in deep stretch on the way to a 1-1/4 length win in 1:53.1. Melady’s Monet finished third.

As the 9-5 second choice, Trolley returned $5.60 to his backers for trainer Erv Miller and owners Michael Anderson, Leland Mathias, Greg Gillis and Louis Willinger. The 6-year-old son of Donato Hanover and Lakeside Bride has now won 13-of-27 career starts and earned $313,459.

Jim “King” Solomon guided Waltzacrossthewire (1:54 as the 7-5 favorite) to victory in the first race on the card, the Martin Luther King Remembrance Race, which exclusively featured African-American drivers. The event honored the slain civil-rights leader, who was born on Jan. 15, 1929.

“Dr. King was always adamant about a better quality of life for black Americans,” said Mike Cruse, one of the driving forces behind the event, “and not only black Americans, but a better quality of life for all Americans. He was a powerful guy. We have a lot of admiration for him.”

Big M Super High-Five Returns $43k

One lucky simulcast player wagering into the Oregon hub hit big at The Meadowlands.

The Late 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five yielded the required one winning ticket to pay off, and the player holding the 14th-race ticket with the combination 7-2-6-4-9 cashed in for $43,014.58.

A Little More: For all updates concerning if the Big M will race on Saturday (Jan. 19) given the impending inclement weather, check www.playmeadowlands.com. … Corey Callahan had a driving triple on the card while Marcus Miller and Anthony Napolitano had two apiece. Jenn Bongiorno had a training double. … All-source wagering on the 14-race program totaled $2,741,370.