by James Witherite, Meadowlands media relations

East Rutherford, NJ — A year on the sidelines failed to deter Muscle Diamond ($6.40), who advanced with live cover before striking the front in mid-stretch and holding sway in Saturday evening’s (Dec. 10) $18,000 top-level conditioned trot at the Meadowlands.

Lisa Photo

Muscle Diamond held off his pursuers to reign victorious in his first start in more than 12 months at Meadowlands on Saturday night.

John Campbell settled the 4-year-old Muscle Hill entire in mid-division as early pacesetter Aldebaran Eagle (Andy Miller) controlled early splits of :27.4 and :56.1 before sliding second-over behind Rock Of Cashel (Corey Callahan) on the far turn. Muscle Diamond was towed into second through a :28.3 third quarter-mile, advanced on his own accord to put away Rock Of Cashel in mid-stretch, but he wasn’t home free yet.

A pair of late challengers emerged—Kelsey’s Keepsake (Joe Bongiorno) from third-over and Classical Annie (Jim Marohn, Jr.) up the pegs from the pocket—yet Muscle Diamond kept them a neck and a half-length at bay respectively, prevailing in 1:53.

Trainer Brett Bittle co-owns seven-time winner Muscle Diamond with Charles Keller, III, Charles Keller, IV, and E. Daniel Bittle.

Pick-4 carryover attracts $236k in new money

The night’s featured seventh race began a late Pick-4 sequence that boasted a carryover of over $39,000, and players responded with $236,988 in new money.

Carryovers yielded a large Pick-4 pool and a hefty payday for one player in Saturday (December 10) evening’s Jackpot High-Five at The Meadowlands. Similarly, a carryover of $57,161 and double-digit horses sweeping the top three positions prompted a $68,028.42 dividend in the closing race 20-cent Jackpot High-Five at The Big M.

To Beach His Own ($29.20) keyed the 4-6-3-5-8 combination, which was held by a single player through the Oregon simulcast hub.