from The Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Tidewater Tomahawk was one of several stakes eligibles tuning up for the start of next week’s winter series action on Saturday night (Jan. 2) at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Lisa photo

Tidewater Tomahawk poses in the winner’s circle after his Big M win on Saturday.

The son of Western Hanover came first up on the final turn and fired off a final quarter of :26.4 to win the $27,500 sixth race, a preferred event for 4-year-old pacers, in 1:52. Driven by Yannick Gingras, Tidewater Tomahawk bested Handsome Harry by 1-1/2 lengths on a blustery night and paid $15.40 to win. Tidewater Tomahawk is eligible to the three-week Complex Series that begins Friday, Jan. 8, and culminates in an estimated $72,500 final on Jan. 23. Trained by Ron Burke, Tidewater Tomahawk won eight of 20 starts in his 3-year-old campaign.

Real Joke showed he is a serious contender for the Clyde Hirt Series with a 1:53.3 score in the second race. In his first start for trainer Julie Miller, Real Joke rallied off cover and charged home in :26.2 for a three-quarter length tally over Majestic Jackpot. Both horses are eligible to the Clyde Hirt for pacers 4-years-old and under, which also begins next Friday and finishes with an estimated $94,600 final on Jan. 23. Previously campaigned by Frank Antonacci, Jr., Real Joke finished first or second in six of 11 starts last season.

Blatantly Good appears well-poised for the Presidential Series after posting his third straight win in one of two $32,000 Invitationals on the card. With Richie Silverman at the lines, Blatantly Good sat third on the outer tier and came home in :25.3 to best Mystery Chase by three lengths in 1:51.4. Trained by Mark Kesmodel, the 6-year-old son of Albert Albert improved his record to 28 wins in 88 career starts and surpassed $400,000 in earnings.

The Presidential Series for free for all pacers begins next Saturday, Jan. 9, and features a $125,000 (est.) final on Jan. 23. Also set to begin next week are the Super Bowl Series for trotters on Wednesday (Jan. 6) and White Ruffles for 4-year-old pacing mares on Thursday (Jan. 7).

Meadowlands Racetrack will follow a Wednesday-Sunday racing schedule beginning January 6. Post times are 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1:10 p.m. Sunday.