by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
East Rutherford, NJ — Crazy Wow and Blue Moon Stride were victorious in their respective 2018 debuts, winning the Friday night (April 27) co-features at the Meadowlands.
Crazy Wow took the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for trotters by three-quarters-of-a-length over Mambo Lindy in 1:52.2. New Jersey Viking, who was coupled in the wagering with the winner, finished third.
The Ron Burke trainee did not have an easy time of it as he was forced into the three-hole early and was still in tight in deep stretch, but a patient David Miller finally found some room along the pylons after Fly On vacated the pocket and Crazy Wow had more than enough trot to record the victory while holding off the late-charging Mambo Lindy.
As the 3-5 favorite, Crazy Wow returned $3.20 to win.
Blue Moon Stride worked out a perfect pocket trip to take the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for pacing fillies and mares by a head over a stubborn Inverse Hanover in 1:50.2. Cousin Mary was third.
Hoosier Park invader Inverse Hanover was after her fourth straight score and almost got it, leading at every call but the last. Corey Callahan timed his move with Blue Moon Stride perfectly and the pair needed every inch of the stretch to get up in time.
A 5-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover who is trained by Nifty Norman, Blue Moon Stride returned $6.00 to win as the second choice in the wagering. Darlinonthebeach, the 8-5 public choice, finished fourth, earning just enough to become harness racing’s newest millionaire.
A LITTLE MORE: Burke had a training triple on the card, Yannick Gingras a driving double. … Make it 11 straight pools of at least $88,000 for the track’s signature Pick-4 wager. A total of $103,275 was bet, serving as the catalyst for the total wagered on the seventh race, $308,388. … The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five carryover continues to grow. That number is now $204,269 after the bet failed to result in a single-ticket winner. … Total handle for the 10-race card was $2,185,205. … One lucky winner walked away with $18,823 for being the only player to make it through seven legs of the 20-Cent Survivor Pick-10. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
- Friday night at The Meadowlands (Thursday, April 26, 2018)
Live racing returns to The Meadowlands on Friday night (April 27) with a 10-race card including twin features on the bill with $20,000 Preferred classes written for trotters in the sixth race and pacing mares in the seventh. The Preferred Handicap trot is populated by a pair of accomplished veterans getting a start in anticipation of the Arthur Cutler Memorial next Saturday (May 5).