by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ — JL Cruze stayed perfect in three seasonal starts Friday night (April 15), taking the featured $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at the Meadowlands by 1-1/2 lengths over Shake It Cerry. Opulent Yankee was third.

Lisa photo

JL Cruze and driver John Campbell won the $25,000 Open Handicap Friday night at the Meadowlands.

A 5-year-old gelded son of Crazed, JL Cruze used a change in tactic from his first two victories of the season and was hustled to the top by driver John Campbell before hitting the quarter in :27.1.

Campbell was allowed to rate the Eric Ell trainee through a half in :56.4 and three-quarters in 1:25.3, leaving plenty of gas in the tank. At the top of the stretch, Rose Run Parker was a non-threatening presence alongside the eventual winner, but did provide live cover for Shake It Cerry, the lifetime earner of $2.4 million who was making her 2016 debut. Shake It Cerry closed well in a solid try for the Jimmy Takter barn.

JL Cruze, who is pointing toward the May 8 Mack Lobell Elitlopp Playoff at the Big M, hit the wire in 1:52.2 after trotting a final quarter in :26.4 and paid $3 to win as the 1-2 favorite.

Campbell, the all-time leader in wins and earnings at the Big M, scored four times on the card. In addition to JL Cruze in the sixth race, Campbell won with Massive Clout ($6.80 to win) in the first, Kiss Me Onthebeach ($8.60) in the third and longshot I C Caviar ($33.00) in the eighth.

All-source wagering on the 12-race card was $2,650,557 while the 12th race Jackpot Super High Five carryover swelled to $179,502.82 for the next racing program after the wager was again not hit.

Racing resumes at the Meadowlands Saturday at 7:15 p.m.