East Rutherford, NJ – Friday kicks off another weekend of exciting racing at The
Meadowlands with fourteen races beginning at 6:35 p.m.
With trotters dominating
the Friday offering (nine trots to five pacing races) there are several
interesting fields for those so inclined to reflect, dissect and project the
possibilities in the pursuit of pari-mutuel rewards.
The featured $25,000
Open Handicap trot fields nine (seven pari-mutuel interests) including last
week’s upset winner Can Do.
The seven year old
gelded son of Cantab Hall is bred in the purple and had modest success in some
minor mid-west stakes as youngster, but really blossomed at age four in
Delaware overnight competition. Can Do joined the Jody Reidel stable last
September when the noted horsewoman plucked him from a $30,000 claimer at
Yonkers. Jody reaped immediate rewards when Can Do paid for himself in a month
on the strength of three wins against the forty claimers.
When Jody brought him
across the river during the Christmas break at Yonkers Can Do clicked with the
mile track racing at The Meadowlands and when paired with driver Anthony
Napolitano proved competitive against the best trotters on the grounds. Last
week Napolitano used Can Do’s gate speed to secure early position then fanned
out and went by the early leaders in the stretch to post the upset in a career
best 1:53.1.
Can Do starts from post
position eight this week and is listed at 4-1 on the morning line.
The standard guarantees
are in place for Friday’s horizontal wagers, $30,000 in the Pick 5 beginning in
race three, $25,000 in the Early Pick 4 (races 5-8) and $50,000 in the Late
Pick 4 (races 9-12). The Hi-5 Jackpot is set for races 7 and 14 with that last
race Jackpot now up to $62,725.
James Witherite is now
providing insightful Race Reviews to complement
your handicapping arsenal each racing night.
Promotion-wise the first
handicapping contest of the new year is on Saturday night, January 23. It’s a
$100 World Harness Handicapping Contest qualifier and you can find the details here.
You may enjoy these epicurean delights while watching and wagering on Meadowlands racing in the tiered
trackside dining room known as Pink.
Again, the first race
goes at 6:35 p.m.
