Trotters in the spotlight on Friday at Big M

from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Live racing returns to The Meadowlands on Friday (Jan. 19) with another action-filled 14-race card.

The featured race of the evening is the seventh, a ten horse conditioned trot for a purse of $15,000. Chief among the competitors are a pair who have recently competed at the Preferred level now realizing a bit of class relief and another that is rising through the ranks.

Opulent Yankee (post nine) has toiled at the top level for the past several seasons for Team Miller (trainer Julie and driver Andy) and owners Little E LLC, Dave Stolz and Art Geiger. The now 7-year-old always gives an honest effort and has been a virtual ATM, grinding a series of six-figure earnings seasons on their behalf.

Iron Mine Bucky danced the big dances as a sophomore and is transitioning nicely to the open ranks at age five but has drawn the far outside post 10 in Friday’s race. Trainer Greg Haverstick has tabbed Eric Carlson with the task of mapping out a trip from that starting point for owners Iron Mine Branch LLC.

PL Ichabod has been in career form for trainer Tony Alagna and owner Jennifer Dalton, hitting the board in all of his visible past performance lines including a win against softer last week. He retains driver Brett Miller from post seven in this one.

All the usual guaranteed wagers are in place and the last race Jackpot Hi-5 carryover is flirting with $70,000. Find free program pages for some of those bets and expert opinions on the web.

In an attempt to counter the effects of the deep freeze being felt in the Northeast, it is also American BBQ Buffet night in Pink where for a mere $29.95 you can make believe it’s July.

Post time is 6:35 p.m.