by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Jacked Up, who took his lifetime mark of 1:52.1 in his last race, showed it was no fluke Monday (March 10) at The Meadows when he cruised to victory in the opening leg of the Murtland Avenue, a late closing series for 3- and 4-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

Also winning $10,000 divisions in the first leg were Scoozi, Allamerican Amigo and Satin Spider.

Three other late closing series kick off this week, with all finals — carrying purses estimated at $25,000 to $35,000 — set for the week of March 24.

Jacked Up had been a closer for most of his career, but Tony Hall gunned him to the lead on March 3 when the gelded son of Western Hanover recorded his fastest mile. The duo used the same strategy in the Murtland Avenue, carving out a pocket trip and exploding through the lane to score by four lengths in 1:53.1. Troy McDougal trains and co-owns Jacked Up with Rebekah McDougal and Howard Alexander. La Reina Road finished second while Don’t Pinch Me, who languished near the rear early, charged late for show.