from the Meadowlands publicity department

East Rutherford, NJ — Swan Image and Pancleefandarpels were victorious in a pair of $24,000 preferred events for older horses on Friday night (Dec. 26) at the Meadowlands.

Larry Roman’s Swan Image ($5.40) cleared to the lead at the top of the stretch and edged away to a 1-3/4 length victory over Beach Nut Brand in the featured seventh race trot. It was a length back to Dink Adoo, who held third after setting the early fractions.

Driven by David Miller, Swan Image covered the mile in 1:55. The 5-year-old gelding has a record of five wins and four seconds in 11 starts this season. Ross Croghan trains the 5-year-old son of Balanced Image.

In the co-featured mares pace, Pancleefandarpels ($13.20) burst up the pylons to nip Chancey Lady at the wire in 1:51.4. Pancleefandarpels sat third as Chancey Lady, the 4-5 favorite, led the field through middle fractions of :55.2 and 1:23.2. As the leader drifted out in the stretch, Andy Miller and Pancleefandarpels surged past for a nose victory. Symphony In Motion, who drafted behind Chancey Lady, finished two lengths behind them.

Pancleefandarpels, trained by Erv Miller, improved her record to 10 wins in 30 starts this season. The 4-year-old daughter of Noble Ability races for owner-breeder Peter Pan Stables.

Meadowlands posts highest Friday handle of the year

Total handle from all sources wagered on Meadowlands races on Dec. 26 was $4,054,847, the highest Friday night total of the year.

The previous high for a Friday card this year was $3.8 million, handled on April 4.

The last time more than $4 million was bet on a Friday Meadowlands card was February 3, 2006 ($4.3 million).