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Saturday, June 18, 2016

Medusa scores in Big M feature

by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Medusa brought her gaudy resume to the Meadowlands Friday night and passed a stern test with flying colors, taking on a deep field and winning the $25,000 featured Fillies and Mares Open in a lifetime-best 1:49.3.

The 5-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight, who came to town riding a two-race win streak at the Meadows (Pa.), displayed her usual early speed and paced past the quarter in :26.3. She then yielded the top – something she had not done during either one of her previous two starts – as Lovineveryminute, who won this race a week ago, took the field past the half in :54.4 and three-quarters in 1:23.1 while Medusa lurked in the pocket.

Lovineveryminute weakened in midstretch as Medusa sprinted up the rail to record a 1¾-length win over 17-1 longshot Inittowinafortune. Gweneeee J was third. Totally Rusty, the 2-1 favorite, was never closer than seventh and finished last in the field of eight.

Medusa paid $13.80 to win as the third choice in the wagering for driver Brett Miller, trainer Andrew Federico Jr. and owners Randall Bendis and Thomas Pollack. She’s now won nine of 18 starts this year and banked just over $128,000.

CARRY ON: The Big M’s two 20 cent Jackpot Super High Five wagers have carryovers that continue to expand and both will be up for grabs on the next program. The fifth-race wager now sports a carryover of $17,598.95 while the 11th race version’s jackpot has now ballooned to $257,678.38. … Racing resumes at the Big M Saturday at 7:15 p.m.