from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Martha Maxine seized command at the half and held off the sizzling stretch rally of Enhance The Night to win the first of two $40,000 Cape & Cutter divisions for open pacing mares on Friday night (Feb. 13) at the Meadowlands.

Lisa photo

Martha Maxine was a 1:51 winner in her Cape & Cutter division.

Driven by Andy Miller, Martha Maxine was clocked in 1:51, posting a final panel of :26.1. Enhance The Night closed in :25.4 to finish a half-length behind, while the pocket sitter Go On BB was third. Martha Maxine paid $3.20 to win the night’s second race.

Martha Maxine improved her record to 16 wins in 32 starts and surpassed $225,000 in earnings. Trainer Erv Miller shares ownership of the 5-year-old mare with Tony Alagna and Brittany Farms.

Sportsfancy rallied from far back to win the second of the two $40,000 Cape & Cutter divisions, race eight.

With Brian Sears in the sulky, Sportsfancy sat third-over and closed from sixth at the top of the stretch to catch Ideal Weather at the wire in 1:52. Chancey Lady held third after challenging the pacesetter Mind Boggling. Sportsfancy paid $7.40.

Larry Baron’s Sportsfancy has now won 32 of 62 career starts and $657,398. Josh Green trains the 5-year-old mare.

In the $20,000 second round of the Exit 16W Series, Rocknroll Band rolled to his fifth straight win in 1:51.3 for driver David Miller and trainer Ken Rucker. Drive All Night drafted behind the winner and finished second, while Segundo Hanover secured the show spot.

Engel Stable’s Rocknroll Band now looms the one to beat in the $73,800 Exit 16W Final next Saturday, February 21.