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Saturday, January 3, 2015

Melady's Monet Back on Top at The Meadowlands

East Rutherford, NJ - Melady's Monet saw his three race win streak snapped when he ran into Appomattox last time in the Free For All Handicap at The Meadowlands.  Tonight, he turned the tables on that foe and seven others to score a decisive victory in the sixth race $30,000 Featured Trot.

Sent off as the even-money favorite, Melady's Monet was aggressively moved to the lead past an opening quarter of 28.1, before relinquishing the lead to Appomattox who reached the half-mile in 26.2 and three quarters in 1:25.  In the stretch Appomattox was spent and drifted off the pylons allowing Melady's Monet to rally up the pylons to score impressively in 1:52.4.  The win was one of four on the card for driver Tim Tetrick and marked the fourth win in five starts for Melady's Monet.  The winning trainer was Kevin McDermott for owners Melady Enterprises L.L.C.

In other action, a dozen pacing mares took to the racetrack in the fifth race $22,000 B-2/B-1 Handicap.  Montenegro was aggressively driven and was just a part of mass of early speed leaving from the outside of the gate.  She reached the opening quarter in 26.4 before facing a challenge from Momma Rock.  Montenegro stretched out that foe, as the two dueled past the half-mile in 56.1 before Momma Rock would clear and lead the field to three quarters in 1:23.4. Turning for home in the 1 1/8th miles event, Momma Rock was facing challenges from everywhere, but despite the taxing trip, the John Campbell driven mare just kept on plugging away and completed the 1 1/8th miles in 2:06 for trainer Gerard Malanga and owners Pai Gow Racing Stable L.L.C.
The Meadowlands began its 2015 racing season with a $3 Million night as total handle for the 13-race program was $3,062,670, a five-percent increase from the $2,908,156 wagered on this same night in 2014.  Live handle spiked over 70-percent compared to a snowy night in 2014.

The fifth race Jackpot Super Hi-5 went unclaimed and will feature a carryover of $3,748.57 into the fifth race on the Saturday program.  The thirteenth race Jackpot also was not hit and it will feature a robust carryover of $24,442 in to the thirteenth race on Saturday.  Post time for the Saturday card is 7:15 P.M.