East Rutherford, NJ — The MADC series had three pace races on Friday night’s (June 23) card at The Meadowlands. Only one favorite ended up victorious on the night in the three events that are always exciting and heavily bet on.

In the first race, it was a typical scramble for the lead, with horses two- and three-wide to the quarter pole. Wiggle My Cookie (James Slendorn) wasn’t letting anyone to the top as he went in :27.2 and :55.3 for the first quarter and half-mile markers. He was able to keep several on the outside hung, which caused the outer flow to stall. It was a well-timed and executed move by longshot Somesurfsomewhere (Anthony Verruso) who ended up beating a game Slendorn by just under a length in 1:54.1. Pan Street USA (Cameron Capone), the longest shot on the board, rounded out a big trifecta. A payout of $39.40 was the generous $2 win price for the race winner. The 8-year-old gelding is owned by Jodi Pollio and is trained by Joseph Pollio.

The fifth race was a more sensible one, with not many leavers and nobody getting parked to the quarter pole. It was longshot Gaius Crastinus (Jake Stillwell) who found himself on the lead through a :27.3 first quarter. He was looking to back down the second quarter, but a bold rush by Meet The Creeper (Bruno Chiodo) cleared to the lead in a half of :55.4 and they opened up on the field as they turned for home. Chiodo looked like he was going to bottom out the field with a :28 third quarter, but in the deep stretch, it was the heavy favorite, Howtotrainurdragon (Newton “Yogi” Sheridan) who got up in time over Chiodo in a mile timed in 1:53.2. Longshot, Life In Color (Kubi Erzene) rounded out the trifecta. The 11-year-old gelding is owned and trained by Mark Ford.

In the seventh and final MADC race of the evening, there were only two leavers for the top spot going to the quarter pole. That is where Jonah and Anthony Verruso found themselves while Century Fury (James Slendorn) was searching for a seat in mid-pack but that would never transpire. Verruso went :27.2 and :56.1 to the half-mile marker and looked in contention to win another race. As the field turned for home, it was pocket sitter Make It Big (Jim King Solomon) who made his move and was able to edge ahead of the pacesetter in deep stretch. He did have other company as Snap Call (Jake Stillwell) made a late bid for victory but came up a neck short, while Verruso finished third. The mile went in 1:52.3. It was the second consecutive victory for this 10-year-old gelding. He is owned by Max and Betty Nikitin and is trained by Brandon Mongiello.

The MADC will be back Saturday night with two more events with the first post scheduled for 6:20 p.m.