From Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ — A premier match-up of first round winners took center stage in the second division of the Worldly Beauty Series Friday night (Jan 16), as Witch Dali, the 1-5 favorite and Donttellruss, the 2-1 second choice, hooked up in a preview of the Final. Witch Dali went right to the lead, setting a rapid pace of 27.2, 55.1, 1:22.3 and 1:51.3 with Donttellruss and Yannick Gingras racing right off Tim Tetrick’s helmet throughout the mile. The two favorites would separate themselves from the field from that point onward and kicked home together, with Donttellruss pulling the pocket in the stretch and wearing down a game Witch Dali.

It was Witch Dali’s first defeat since returning to the races and snapped a five race win streak. For Donttellruss, she is a perfect three for three to start her 4-year-old campaign. Ron Burke trains the mare for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Karr and Baldachino.

The first division did not include a round one winner and thus it was very competitive on paper. Hex was sent off as the 7-5 favorite for owner driver Dave Miller off a fourth place finish the week before, but that filly went off stride while racing well off the pace into the far turn. Frame Worthy established the early pace and cut the mile through fractions of 27.3, 55.4 and 1:23.2. But 8-5 second choice, Empress Deo, was riding a perfect pocket trip every step of the mile and that mare pounced on the leader while holding off a late rally from Safe From Terror to score in 1:53.2, a new lifetime mark. Empress Deo was driven by Brett Miller for trainer Wayne Givens and owner Legacy Racing Of De Inc.

The $25,000 featured B-1/A-1 Handicap Trot features a similar cast of characters to the past few weeks. Coming off a win, Lindy’s Tru Grit looked like the horse to beat, but it was actually Appomattox who was sent off as the 7-5 favorite Friday night. Lindy’s Tru Grit left hard from the outside post hitting the quarter in 27.4, before yielding to the pocket behind favored Appomattox, who would proceed to dictate terms through fractions of 55.3 and 1:24. Turning for home, Appomattox was clinging to the lead, but was feeling pressure from Mistery Woman and Team Six who was rallying off cover down the center of the track. Lindy’s Tru Grit was looking for racing room in the stretch. He found it, but Team Six had the jump on him and scored a massive 50-1 upset over Lindy’s Tru Grit with Appomattox saving the show. Mistery Woman was in contention racing first-over in the stretch, but broke-stride when she put a nose in front inside the eighth pole. Team Six was driven to victory by Marcus Miller for Erv Miller and owners Peggy Hood, Mystical Marker Farms L.L.C., Paymaq Racing and Jorgen Jahre Jr.

Both $.20 cent Jackpot Super Hi-5 wagers will carry over into the Saturday program. The fifth race carryover stands at $22,146, while the last race carryover is now $47,620.

Racing resumes Saturday, with first post time at 7:15 P.M. The Saturday program features the second round of the Escort series with a pair of divisions.