East Rutherford, NJ — Is Mariner Seelster the inspiration for the phrase: “You’re not getting older, you’re getting better”?

Probably not. But it certainly fits.

The remarkable war horse won again Friday night (March 15) at the Meadowlands, upping his win streak to four in a Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club 2 event on the pace.

The 15-year-old gelded son of Camluck-M T Freedom, permitted to race only because horses beyond the age of 14 are eligible to perform in fair or amateur dashes in New Jersey, was roughed up four-wide into the first turn, finally made the top while parked at the half in a sizzling :54.3, then drew clear of his foes at the head of the stretch before going on to a sparkling 1:52.3 score.

Mariner Seelster won the eighth race at the Meadowlands Friday night, a Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club 2 event, with Tony Beltrami at the controls. Lisa Photo.

“He’s as sound and happy as he’s ever been,” said winning trainer Travis Alexander of ‘Mariner,’ who made the 440th start of his career. “You can see his ears up during the mile and we couldn’t be more amazed by him than we are. He loves his job, that’s for sure.”

Mariner Seelster now has 74 lifetime wins, good for a bankroll of just under $1.02 million for owners Fiddler’s Creek Stables, Alexander Racing Stable, D’Elegance Stable and T L P Stable. He paid $4.20 as the even-money favorite despite leaving from post nine in the nine-horse field. Throwing Copper finished 3-1/2 lengths behind the winner in second with Yayas Hot Spot N third.

“What can I say?” said winning driver Tony Beltrami. “He’s an absolute beast. He is a true professional that loves to race and to win, and is as strong and sound as most horses half his age. I’m truly grateful to the owners, and to Travis Alexander and his team, for the opportunity to drive him.”

In other MADC action:

• The first race on the card featured a field scratched down to eight, and the favorite, Texas Miki (Neil Glasser), sat the pocket for most of the race. He pulled the pocket before the three-quarter pole on the veteran Atta Boy Dan (Newton “Yogi” Sheridan) but didn’t clear right away, which looked like it may cost him the race, but he was ground down the leader to win by just over a length over Rollinwitdaponyzzz (Scott Keppler) in 1:55.1, while long shot Stolen Art (Dakota Jackson) finished third.

• In the fourth race on the card, similar to the first, pocket sitter Bionic gave trainer-driver Michael “Superman” Shults his first amateur victory of his career. He made a bold move to the lead just after the half over long shot Racing Renegade (Michael Fiumenero) and staved off all late challengers to win by a neck in 1:54.1. Select Friday (Joe Lee) and Tidal Shark (Peter Kleinhans), both at double-digit odds, came from way back to finish second and third, respectively.

• The sixth race found Ferdinand A (James Slendorn) on the lead, where he likes to be. He carved out a sensible first quarter of :28 but then hit the gas pedal in the second stanza to get to the half in :55.4. This seemed like it may take its toll on him in the stretch, but he held off pocket-sitter Sand Sniper (Tony Beltrami) and Warrawee Yankee (Mark Silva) to win in 1:53.3.

CARRY ON: The 20-cent Pick-8 went unhit for a fifth consecutive program, setting up a carryover of $9,507 for Saturday (March 16). Those with five correct on their tickets cashed in for $49.54.

One shrewd handicapper hit big in the 20-cent Pick-6. After 2-1 chance Oh Coffee Bean won the 13th race, one winning ticket was worth $29,854.72.

Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

PURPLE POWER: Leading driver David Miller gave his fans some serious returns after guiding the winners of the last three races on the card. Miss Chantilly N ($29.40 to win), Oh Coffee Bean ($6.80) and the previously winless Ferragamo Hanover ($26.60) scored in the 12th, 13th and 14th dashes, respectively, which gave Miller’s followers the late double ($96.60) and Pick-3 ($1,045.60).

A LITTLE MORE: Troy Beyer and Todd McCarthy each had a driving double. … After last Saturday’s pari-mutuel betting platform problems stopped The Big M’s streak of 12 straight $3-million handles, betting got back on the beam Friday as $3,265,089 was put in play on the 14-race card. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

– with files from Matt Zuccarello, for the MADC