By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – It had been a
long time between drinks for the Erv Miller-trained Trolley, but a perfect
pocket trip was just the right tonic to get him to the winner’s circle for the
first time since Sept. 10 of last year when he took the $16,000 high-range
conditioned trotting feature Friday night at the Meadowlands.
Making only his second start of the
year, Trolley was asked for early speed from driver Marcus Miller and got it,
ending up in the two-hole behind even-money choice Lindy The Great. Those two
raced that way from the quarter as Fashionwoodchopper struggled first-over from
the get-go. Mayfair Johnny B – who was seeking his fourth straight win – was
another who couldn’t hack it while racing uncovered past the half and
three-quarters.
Through the stretch, Lindy The Great
could not finish the job, as Trolley popped out of the pocket in midstretch and
rolled by for a 2-length win in 1:52.2. Zlatan finished third.
A 5-year-old son of Donato
Hanover-Lakeside Bride, Trolley returned $11.80 as the co-third choice in the
betting. He’s now won nine-of-22 lifetime outings for owners Paymaq Racing,
L.L. Mathias, G. Gillis and L.A. Willinger.
MAGNUM MIKE MAGNIFICENT: Magnum Mike won his third straight in
the fifth race claiming handicap. He was claimed for $10,000 for the third time
this month after scoring as the 4-5 favorite and now resides in the Chris
Marino barn.
A LITTLE MORE: One lucky player wagering into the
Ohio hub raked the pot in the ninth-race 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five,
correctly wagering on the winning combination of 4-7-3-9-2. The payoff was
$11,674. … The 50-Cent Pick-4 pool was a rock-solid $91,452, falling just $534
short of the meet high, which was established on Nov. 3. … All-source wagering
on the 11-race card totaled $2,034,923. … Racing resumes Saturday night at 7:15
p.m. with the biggest card of the fall meeting. Eight stakes races – four TVG
finals and the Fall Final Four for 2-year-olds – top a spectacular 13-race
program. The top two contenders for Horse of the Year - McWicked (TVG pace) and
Shartin N (TVG mare pace) - are the top two names on the marquee. In addition,
the great Foiled Again will be in race three and then meet and greet his fans
in the ‘Backyard’ after the race. There is also a Foiled Again poster giveaway.
