East Rutherford, NJ — Favorites didn’t fare well in three divisions of the Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club on Friday (May 17) at the Big M.

In the first race on the card, it was a mid-race move by the veteran Atta Boy Dan (Newton “Yogi” Sheridan), who reigned victorious over Chip Walther (Anthony Verruso) and longshot In Nevada N(Bruno Chiodo) and finished third. The mile went in 1:54.4.  The 15-year-old gelding is owned by Stephen Larkin out of MA and is trained by Peter Pellegrino.

The fifth race found the lead to be the place to be, as Ferdinand A (James Slendorn) bottomed out this field in 1:53 flat to hold off all late challengers. Lincoln Boulevard (Tony Beltrami) finished second, while Select Friday (Newton “Yogi” Sheridan) rounded out the trifecta. Slendorn also owns this 11-year-old gelding, which is trained by Kelvin Harrison.

In the ninth and final it was an exciting finish with several horses vying for supremacy in deep stretch and Sunshine’s Finest (William Clark Jr.) was able to split rivals to win by a neck over Lovethewayyoulie (Bruno Chiodo) while Stone Cold Savage (Slendorn) rounded out the trifecta.  The mile went in 1:54.  Tom Shay trains this 8-year old who is owned by Clark Jr. himself along with Mary Cuervo.

The MADC races will be back Saturday (May 18) night at the Big M with a first post scheduled for 6:20 p.m.