from The Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Real Joke and Majestic Jackpot crushed the competition in round two of the Clyde Hirt Series on Friday night (Jan. 15) at Meadowlands Racetrack, paving the way for a thrilling showdown in next week’s $90,000 final.

Real Joke and Andy Miller cruised to a 1:51 score in their Clyde Hirt division.

Real Joke gunned to the lead at the half and cruised off to a six length victory in the first of the evening’s $18,000 Hirt divisions. Driven by Andy Miller, Real Joke extended his streak to three wins with a career-best 1:51 clocking. The overwhelming 1-9 betting choice paid $2.20 to win. Allamerican Pewter (second) and Henry Gram (third) picked up the pieces.

A 4-year-old son of Real Desire, Real Joke is perfect since entering Julie Miller’s barn this season. Brian Gordon, Toby Rekoon and Stewart Goldberg share ownership of the gelding.

Majestic Jackpot was equally dominant in the second Hirt division.

Majestic Jackpot and driver Brian Sears tipped out to take command from Big Bad Bosley on the final turn and roared home in :26.3 for a final 1:51.4 clocking. Bet The Town skimmed the pylons to finish two lengths behind, while Star Party finished third. Majestic Jackpot paid $3.40.

Lisa photos

Majestic Jackpot was a 1:51.4 winner for Brian Sears.

The blue-blooded son of Real Artist-Caesars Jackpot was a $17,000 purchase by trainer Brian Burton and his father, Martin. Majestic Jackpot is now two-for-two since Burton adjusted his equipment.

“When he got beat by Real Joke (on January 2), Brian (Sears) said he had trouble steering him out of the turns,” Burton said. “He thought there was a problem with his feet, so I worked on everything. Plus, he was pretty hard to control in the hole, so Brian also recommended an open bridle.”

The other two divisions of the Hirt went to Magicmaker Hanover and Woodstock Hanover.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, JJK Stables and M1 Stable, Magicmaker Hanover (The Panderosa-Mystical Art) edged Pantastic Guy by a head at the wire in 1:52.4. Brian Sears drove the winner for trainer Ron Burke.

Woodstock Hanover (Bettor’s Delight-Western Duel) rolled to a four length victory over Stand By Cam in 1:52 in the finale. George Brennan drove for trainer Aaron Lambert and owners Kenneth Tucci and Glenn Ellis.

The $90,000 Clyde Hirt for conditioned pacers is one of five series finals to be contested next week at Meadowlands Racetrack. It shares the spotlight with the $117,000 Presidential and $90,000 Complex on Saturday, Jan. 23. The stakes action kicks off with the $79,000 Super Bowl Final for trotters on Wednesday, Jan. 20 and $53,000 White Ruffles for pacing mares on Thursday, Jan. 21.

Trio of Complex Series divisions also featured

The Friday Meadowlands card also featured three $20,000 divisions of the Complex Pacing Series.

In the opener, D&E Racing’s Pacinello was a 1:52.1 winner for driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Jim Doherty. The 4-year-old Little Steven-Princess Kiara stallion defeated Bob Watts (Yannick Gingras) by 3-1/2 lengths with Fox Valley Seth (Brian Sears) third.

The middle division went to Real Image (Real Desire-Shy Reflection) in 1:52. Ron Pierce was in the bike for trainer Josh Green and owners Steve Carter, Robert Reid and Chuck Grubbs. Real Image took advantage of a pocket trip to defeat pacesetting Tidewater Tomahawk (Yannick Gingras) by 1-1/4 lengths with Theory’s Hero (Richard Silverman) third.

The final division went to Patricia Hogan’s Thanks For Stoppin in 1:52.3. John Campbell piloted the 5-year-old Real Artist-Pacific Wildfire gelding to a neck triumph over F Train (Brian Sears). Somethinsgotagive (Yannick Gingras) was three-quarters of a length back in third.