Billed as a matchup between the razor sharp Sweet Justice
and the classy Daylon Magician, Friday’s Open Trot at The Meadowlands seemed to
be a 2-horse race on paper, but in the end, it was anything but. Sweet
Justice broke stride right at the start, seemingly leaving the race to Daylon
Magician who asserted an early lead. Setting fractions of 26.4, 55.2 and
1:23.4, Daylon Magician driven by Dave Miller turned for home seemingly on
cruise control. But World Cup was guided off the pylons by Joe Bongiorno and
made his move with three-sixteenths of a mile to go and what a move it was as
he wore down Daylon Magician sprinting home in 27.4 to get up by a nose at
17-1. World Cup is owned by Carly Roman and trained by Brad Irvine.
It was that upset that sparked a lone winning ticket in the Pick-5 which
returned $30,052.60 for the $.50 cent minimum play.
The Pick 5 wasn’t the only pool with one winning ticket as Mike Simons repeat
upset victory with Twin B Spike Man at 31-1 in the tenth race B-1/B-2 Handicap
Trot ensured one winning ticket in the Late Pick 4, which returned $64,811.80.
Perfect Alliance was noteworthy impressive winner in her return to the races,
romping to a 7-length score in a lifetime best 1:53.3 as she gears up for the
Charles Singer Memorial Series.
Driver Yannick Gingras stole the driving show tonight, winning five races
extending his lead in the drivers standing to 14 wins in front of Dave Miller.
It was another big night for the on-track handle, as it yielded a 14-percent
increase over the same race day in 2013, while the total handle of $3,120,181
was a five percent increase as well.
Racing resumes on Saturday with first post time of 7:15 P.M. The program
features a Free For All Handicap Trot, featuring Hypnotic Blue Chip, Bettor’s
Edge and the razor sharp Dovuto Hanover.
