from the Meadowlands publicity department

East Rutherford, NJ — After an epic storm washed out the Saturday card, racing resumed Sunday afternoon (March 14) at Meadowlands Racetrack with the $20,000 second leg of the Horse & Groom Series as the featured event.

Looking Hanover and Yannick Gingras were 1:54.3 winners on Sunday.

Looking Hanover certainly looks like the one to beat in next week’s final after breezing to victory in the last of the three divisions for conditioned trotters on the card. With driver and co-owner Yannick Gingras in the sulky, Looking Hanover made the lead past the opening turn and drew off to a two length victory in 1:54.3 over a sloppy track. Hot Shot Blue Chip angled off the pylons on the far turn and rallied for second, while 70-1 shot Darlabar Man was far back in third. The even-money favorite, Looking Hanover paid $4 as he posted his second straight win in the series and contributed toward a grand slam for Gingras on the card.

Looking Hanover has been a fairytale success story for trainer Ed Gannon and his wife, Dawn, of Dover, Del. They purchased Looking Hanover after his lackluster 3-year-old season for $10,000 at the 2008 Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg, Pa., and he has since earned more than $200,000 while working his way up the trotting ranks. The 5-year-old son of Muscles Yankee-Lady Bar will look to add to that bankroll in the $96,000 (est.) Horse & Groom Final on Thursday, March 25.

Gingras, who bought a half-interest in Looking Hanover last fall, also won a Horse & Groom division with Guiding Light. The pair cleared the lead on the far turn and drew off to a two length tally over Celebrity Playboy in 1:55.1. Guiding Light posted his first win in eight tries this season for trainer Bennie Magliochetti and lessee Florence Magliochetti Lifetime, the 6-year-old Dream Vacation-Lighthouse gelding has now won seven of 29 starts and $70,000.

Lisa photos

P J Clark’s time of 1:53.4 was the fastest of the three divisions.

Earlier on the card, P J Clark and driver Andy Miller wired the field in the first of the three Horse & Groom divisions in 1:53.4. Runner-up Hurrikanebiggeorge angled out of the pocket late to finish a half-length back, while Celebrity Hercules was third.

A 4-year-old son of Broadway Hall-Add A Lil, P J Clark improved his record to six wins in 22 career starts for trainer Laura Shock and Hauser Bros Racing.

Meadowlands racing schedule reminder: The new racing schedule — Thursday-Saturday at 7 p.m. — starts this week.