from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Friday (Jan. 22) kicks off another weekend of exciting racing at The Meadowlands with 14 races beginning at 6:35 p.m.

With trotters dominating the Friday offering (nine trots to five pacing races) there are several interesting fields for those so inclined to reflect, dissect and project the possibilities in the pursuit of pari-mutuel rewards.

The featured $25,000 Open Handicap Trot fields nine (seven pari-mutuel interests), including last week’s upset winner Can Do. The 7-year-old gelded son of Cantab Hall is bred in the purple and had modest success in some minor Midwest stakes as youngster, but really blossomed at age four in Delaware overnight competition. Can Do joined the Jody Reidel stable last September when the noted horsewoman plucked him from a $30,000 claimer at Yonkers. Reidel reaped immediate rewards when Can Do paid for himself in a month on the strength of three wins against the $40,000 claimers.

When Reidel brought him across the river during the Christmas break at Yonkers, Can Do clicked with the mile track racing at The Meadowlands and when paired with driver Anthony Napolitano proved competitive against the best trotters on the grounds. Last week Napolitano used Can Do’s gate speed to secure early position, then fanned out and went by the early leaders in the stretch to post the upset in a career best 1:53.1.

Can Do starts from post position eight this week and is listed at 4-1 on the morning line.

The standard guarantees are in place for Friday’s horizontal wagers, $30,000 in the Pick-5 beginning in race three, $25,000 in the Early Pick-4 (races five-eight) and $50,000 in the Late Pick-4 (races nine-12). The Hi-5 Jackpot is set for races seven and 14, with that last race Jackpot now up to $62,725.

James Witherite is now providing insightful Race Reviews to complement your handicapping arsenal each racing night.

Promotion-wise the first handicapping contest of the new year is on Saturday night (Jan. 23). It’s a $100 World Harness Handicapping Contest qualifier and you can find the details here.

You may enjoy these epicurean delights while watching and wagering on Meadowlands racing in the tiered trackside dining room known as Pink.

Again, the first race goes at 6:35 p.m.