East Rutherford, NJ — With clear skies and mid 30-degree temperatures at post time for the first on Friday (Feb. 16), the MADC featured three races on the card with speed being the main theme for the evening.  When you have speed and some classy horses, it makes things look a lot easier from the lead, with you controlling the pace.

In the first race, it was a speed duel the ensued for a majority of the race with post time favorite, Rollinwitdaponyzzz (Scott Keppler), who handed out the parking ticket to Newton “Yogi” Sheridan aboard Archetto Hanover.  These two battled for about three-quarters of a mile, which figured to take its toll on both and set it up for the closers, but none really came close to reaching the top three break away pack, and Keppler was able to have enough in the tank to stave off all challengers en route to winning by 3-3/4 lengths.  It was Laneside Logic GB (Dein Spriggs) who sat the pocket to a comfortable second place finish while Sheridan still hung on for third.  This mile was timed in 1:54.1.  The 6-year-old gelding is owned by Keppler and is trained by Daniel Gill.

In the fifth race, it was a fired up Paduka N (Tony Beltrami) who left swiftly from his outside post and went a quick :26.4 first stanza.  The speed theme continued in this MADC event as the top three never had any other horses challenge them for the entire mile.  He was able to settle the loose leader down some but wasn’t able to hold off the pocket sitter and horse sitting behind the top two, who flipped positions and when they hit the wire, it was Sunshine’s Finest (William Clark Jr.) who popped the pocket to win by a length over a hard charging My Wish Came True (James Slendorn).  Beltrami was able to hold on for the show dough.  This mile went in a fast 1:52.1.  The 8-year old gelding is owned by Clark Jr. along with Mary Cuerbo and is trained by Tom Shay.

In the final MADC race on the card, it was the classy veteran Mariner Seelster (Tony Beltrami) who showed his speed and class and once on the lead, never really had an anxious moment.  He was able to get a big breather in the second quarter and although the pocket sitting mare, Dandy Idea (Newton “Yogi” Sheridan), who was sitting close to the leader, he could only get within 2-3/4 lengths at the finish to end up with a nice second, while post time favorite, Whammer Jammer (James Slendorn) came from mid-pack to round out the trifecta.  This mile went in 1:52.3.  The 15-year old gelding is owned by Fiddler’s Creek Stables out of FL, Alexander Racing Stable out of MI, and D’Elegance Stable Ix & T L P Stable out of NJ and is trained by Travis Alexander.

The MADC will be back next Friday night for more exciting harness racing action.  Post time is scheduled for 6:20 p.m.