EAST
RUTHERFORD, NJ – World champion JL Cruze, the 2015 Aged Trotting Horse of
the Year, won his 2016 debut with ease Friday night, taking the $25,000
featured open handicap at the Meadowlands.
The
winner of 16 of 21 starts a year ago (with earnings of over $600,000) was away
slowly and did not vacate the rail until the three-eighths mile marker, when he
slipped into a second-over flow. Hall of Fame driver John Campbell then rolled
the son of Crazed off cover in mid-stretch and easily trotted past six
overmatched rivals to score by 2 lengths in 1:53.
As
the 3-5 public choice, JL Cruze, the only trotter in history to break the 1:50
barrier at the Big M (1:49.4), paid $3.20 to win. Waiting On A Woman, the early
pacesetter, held on for second. Cash Me Out was third.
JL
Cruze will return on short rest as he’s slated to race next in an open
preferred handicap at Dover Downs on Wednesday.
Betting
was fast and furious on the card, as a total of $3,360,706 was wagered on the
12-race program, $759,007 more than the corresponding card last year. The
average total wager per race was $280,059.
Betting
was especially impressive on the card’s amateur events, where a little more
than $627,000 was pushed through the windows on the two races.
One
lucky bettor hit the 5th race Jackpot Super High Five for $20,354.78
for a 20-cent wager while the 12th race Jackpot Super High Five was
again not hit, lifting the carryover for tomorrow night to $159,945.73.
Racing
resumes at the Meadowlands Saturday, first post is 7:15 p.m.
