from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Melady’s Monet saw his three race win streak snapped when he ran into Appomattox last time in the Free For All Handicap Trot at The Meadowlands. Friday night (Jan. 2) he turned the tables on that foe and seven others to score a decisive victory in the sixth race $30,000 featured trot.

Lisa photo

Melady’s Monet was a 1:52.4 winner for driver Tim Tetrick.

Sent off as the even-money favorite, Melady’s Monet was aggressively moved to the lead past an opening quarter of :28.1, before relinquishing the lead to Appomattox who reached the half-mile in :56.2 and three-quarters in 1:25.

In the stretch Appomattox was spent and drifted off the pylons allowing Melady’s Monet to rally up the pylons to score impressively in 1:52.4.

The win was one of four on the card for driver Tim Tetrick and marked the fourth win in five starts for Melady’s Monet. The winning trainer was Kevin McDermott for owners Melady Enterprises LLC.

In other action, a dozen pacing mares took to the racetrack in the fifth race $22,000 B-2/B-1 Handicap.

Montenegro was aggressively driven and was just a part of the mass of early speed leaving from the outside of the gate. She reached the opening quarter in :26.4 before facing a challenge from Momma Rock.

Montenegro stretched out that foe, as the two dueled past the half-mile in :56.1 before Momma Rock would clear and lead the field to three-quarters in 1:23.4.

Turning for home in the 1-1/8th mile event, Momma Rock was facing challenges from everywhere, but despite the taxing trip, the John Campbell driven mare just kept on plugging away and completed the 1-1/8th miles in 2:06 for trainer Gerard Malanga and owners Pai Gow Racing Stable LLC.

The Meadowlands began its 2015 racing season with a $3 million night as total handle for the 13-race program was $3,062,670, a five percent increase from the $2,908,156 wagered on this same night in 2014. Live handle spiked more than 70 percent compared to a snowy night in 2014.

The fifth race Jackpot Super Hi-5 went unclaimed and will feature a carryover of $3,748.57 into the fifth race on the Saturday program. The 13th race jackpot also was not hit and it will feature a robust carryover of $24,442 into the 13th race on Saturday. Post time for the Saturday card is 7:15 p.m.