East Rutherford, NJ — Sometimes, everything falls into place marvelously with some keen driving, and that’s exactly how things went for Madrid A in Friday night’s (Dec. 13) featured conditioned pace for fillies and mares at the Meadowlands.
Pilot Lauren Tritton did everything right with Madrid A, as the 6-year-old Bling It On-Lillylane mare scored in 1:51.2 taking down 3-5 favorite Factory Girl in the $13,000 dash.
“I just wanted to keep her out of trouble,” said Tritton. “I didn’t want anything bad happening in the race.”
JM Betonsix fired away from post one and hooked up with Madrid A in a nose-to-nose battle around the first turn. Tritton opted to back Madrid A into the two-hole as JM Betonsix hit the quarter in 27.1. Factory Girl had nowhere to go but forward, having left hard from post six in the seven-horse field and had to use a big burst of energy to get the lead at the three-eighths.
Tritton had an opportunity to get closer to the leader after JM Betonsix took some wonky steps, and she moved Madrid A into the pocket before the half as Factory Girl hit that beam in :56.
Life wasn’t easy for Factory Girl, who was pressed by Dixie Dream from the half to the three-quarters, where she still was the leader in 1:24.
Tritton thought she was in good shape.
“She was full of run,” said Tritton of Madrid A, “and she’s had a couple of unlucky trips lately.”
Madrid A popped the pocket just inside the eighth pole and went past the defenseless public choice to score by 2-1/2 lengths. Factory Girl finished second with Tony’s Mom third.
“She’s a happy horse,” said Tritton. “If you keep her sharp, she can do anything.”
Trained by Lauren’s husband, Shane, Madrid A won for the 21st time from 50 lifetime starts. She has now earned $328,327 for owners Robert Cooper Stables, Robert Weinstein and Stephen Klunowski, and she paid $12.40 to win as the 5-1 third choice in the wagering.
Generosity abounds at the Meadowlands
The Meadowlands wrapped up its annual Toys for Tots collection drive, held in partnership with New York Jets game analyst Quincy Enunwa and the United States Marine Corps, on Friday.
For the past few weeks, the Meadowlands has been a hub of generosity, with employees, customers and horsepeople coming together to donate toys for children in need associated with SBH Systems. The collection drive saw an outpouring of support, with the Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club adding a $10,000 donation to the toys collected.
The U.S. Marines Toys for Tots and Enunwa will personally deliver toys to children at SBH Health System, a Safety Net Hospital in the Bronx, on Tuesday (Dec. 17) at noon.
Big M general manager Jason Settlemoir was thrilled with the response.
“We are overwhelmed with the response to this year’s Toys for Tots collection drive,” said Settlemoir. “The holiday season is all about family and helping others that are less fortunate. We all at the Meadowlands Racetrack are overjoyed that our donations help make this magical holiday season a little brighter for families in need at SBH Health Systems in the Bronx.”
A Little More
Mark Herschberger, 29, one of The Big M driver colony’s “Young Guns,” finished the night atop the leaderboard with three victories. … There were two Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club races on the program, and every one of the remaining 12 dashes were taken by a driver no older than 31 years of age. … There were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a carryover of $3,722 for Saturday’s (Dec. 14) card. Those with five correct selections cashed in for $124.10. … All-source betting on the 14-race card totaled $2,233,935. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.