by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ — As the all-time driver earnings leader in harness racing history, John Campbell has guided and won with many favorites, but Friday (July 22) night at the Meadowlands in the Kindergarten Series for 2-year-olds, he made his fans jump for joy after steering two longshots to the winner’s circle.

Campbell scored with Sunshine Delight (Credit Winner-On The Bright Side) in the filly trot at odds of 11-1 and paid $25.60 to win, completing the mile in 1:56.3 for trainer Staffan Lind and owner James Wilhite Jr.

Lisa photo

John Campbell illustrates why he is in the Hall of Fame to an unlikely victory in the Kindergarten Series.

Saving his best for last, Campbell guided 39-1 chance Muscles Jared ($80.40) a son of Muscle Massive-Tetiana, to victory lane in the colt and gelding trot in 1:56.1 for trainer George Ducharme and owner Alfred Ross.

Chalk players were not left out in the cold on this extremely warm night, however, as Fly On ($2.10, 1:55.3, colt and gelding trot), Grandma’s Moni ($4.60, 1:55.2, filly trot) and Rubio ($2.20, 1:56.1, colt and gelding trot) scored in the other Kindergarten divisions.

FROM WAY BACK: Fashion Creditor scored in the overnight feature, a $17,500 conditioned trot in the most exciting race all night, when five horses were less than a length apart at the wire. The Tom Fanning trainee, who was driven by Brett Miller, was up in a driving finish after racing in a fifth-over flow at three-quarters. The 4-year-old gelded son of Credit Winner completed the mile in 1:52.2 and paid $28.40 to win. Rules Of The Road, sent off at 14-1, finished a nose back in second.

CARRY ON: The fifth race 20-cent Jackpot Super High Five failed to produce a single-ticket winner, upping the carryover to $38,241.19 for the next program.

Despite a smaller than usual pool in the 13th race finale, all-source wagering totaled $2,468,369.

Racing resumes at the Big M Saturday (July 23) at 7:15 p.m.