Pacing mare wins
third straight in Friday feature
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (March 24, 2017) – Marcus Miller
and Mystical Nectar had a lot left in deep stretch, but nowhere to go, until a
narrow seem opened with 100 yards to go. Mystical Nectar exploded to win
comfortably in 1:52.1 in the $18,000 pacing feature for mares on Friday night
at the Meadowlands.
The win is the 6-year-old daughter of Charley Barley's third
straight victory after a pair of nose wins at Yonkers and provided trainer
Donald Billings with his first Meadowlands win in his first Big M start.
Billings is a 48-year-old Pennsylvania resident who recorded his first training
win in 2014.
Mystical Nectar raced on the pylons and was shuffled back to
fifth turning for home in a seemingly impossible spot. Know It All (Tyler
Buter) showed the field into the stretch while Our Els Dream (Bill Mann)
challenged first over. With Icommandmyspirit (Jim Marohn, Jr.) looking to rally
up the inside, Mystical Nectar was desperate for room.
When Our Els Dream drifted slightly, it gave Mystical Nectar
the room she needed. She responded with a :27.2 final quarter to win as the 7/2
second choice in the field of seven. 9/5 favorite Not Before Eight lacked her
usual stretch kick and finished fifth.
Earlier in the program, the multiple stakes placed mare
Penpal made a smashing 4-year-old debut, defeating a talented group of
conditioned pacers in 1:51.4 with a powerful first-over trip. Penpal earned
more than $200,000 last year with on-the-board finishes in several major stakes
including the Mistletoe Shalee, Matron, and Glen Garnsey.
Penpal is owned by trainer and driver Pat Lachance and
M&M Harness Racing.
Andy Miller and Marcus Miller each won a pair of races on
the 11-race card.
Total handle was $2,410,948.
Racing resumes next Saturday. Post time is 7:15 p.m. For
more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.
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