East Rutherford, NJ — With Halloween just a few days away, the MADC fall/winter series had three events on Friday night (Oct. 27) at the Meadowlands, and the post time favorite was defeated in all three races.

When the gate sprung in the first race, it was a customary scramble into the first turn that flashed a :26.4 quarter. As the field settled down, the two outside horses were comfortably ahead, and after the outer flow stalled, they finished in reverse order as to where they were sitting for a majority of the race. In the end, Yayas Hot Spot N (Newton “Yogi” Sheridan) stopped the clock in 1:54.2 off a smart pocket trip. Finishing just over a length back was Takeittotheface (“Pistol” Peter Kleinhans) while Fire Light (“Mighty” Matt Zuccarello) rounded out the trifecta. The 13-year old gelding is trained by Shane Tritton and is owned by Team Tritton Inc.

In the fifth race on the card, it was another swift opening quarter of :27, but Premier Joy A (McKenzie “Maine” Sowers), settled on the lead for the rest of the mile, carved out sensible fractions the rest of the way, and held on for a neck victory over favorite Shore of Himself (Newton “Yogi” Sheridan), while another neck back was the late charge of A B Collins (Cameron “Al” Capone). There were six horses within a length of the winner at the wire, with the mile timed in 1:53.2. The 9-year old gelding is also trained by Sowers and owned by Raymond Cohen and Robert Stasio.

In the third and final MADC race on the card, it was another dash for the lead into the first turn that once again hit the beam in :27. As the field turned for home, there were horses coming from all angles. After the unofficial first-place finisher was disqualified for going inside pylons, Big Bad Bill (Anthony “The Capo” Verruso), was elevated to first after going a first-over trip for the majority of the race. Just a nose back was Terre Haute (Newton “Yogi” Sheridan), while long shot Shortys Girl (Jake “The Snake” Stillwell) was placed third to round out the trifecta. The official mile time was 1:52.3. The 9-year old gelding is owned by Joseph Loprete and is trained by Julius Czermann Jr.

The MADC will be back Saturday (Oct. 28) with a MADC 2 event, scheduled as the first race on the card. Post time is 6:20 p.m.