By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. –
Darlinonthebeach made her Meadowlands return a winning one, taking the Friday
night feature, the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for pacing fillies and mares in
1:51, her seasonal best.
As reported by Jay Bergman in DRF
Harness, the Nifty Norman trainee, who last raced at the Big M on Nov. 16, has
battled a nagging suspensory injury for much of the season, which derailed her
Breeders Crown and TVG hopes, but she showed no ill effects of her physical
problem after a perfect trip led to her third win of the season in nine starts.
Sent to the gate as the 3-5 favorite
(along with entrymate Stylish Beachware), Darlinonthebeach was taken to the
rear of the eight-horse field by driver David Miller in the early stages.
Brazuca, who went off stride briefly before the start, made a bold move at
leader Kak’s Shark Attack down the backstretch and on to three-quarters, all
the while providing a perfect tow for Darlinonthebeach, who was in an ideal
second-over flow.
With three-sixteenths of a mile to
go, Darlinonthebeach was tipped off her cover by Miller and rolled to a
decisive 1¾-length victory over Jewel Lehigh A, who rallied for second. Brazuca
hung in there to nab the show dough.
Darlinonthebeach, a 5-year-old
daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Darlin’s Delight who is owned (and was bred) by
White Birch Farm, returned $3.20 to her backers. Lifetime, she’s won 20-of-54
starts and banked $1,068,648.
A LITTLE MORE: Yannick Gingras continued his winning
ways, guiding four to victory lane, including three for trainer Ron Burke.
David Miller and Dexter Dunn had three apiece. Gingras and Miller have 11
victories each over the last three Big M programs … The 50-Cent Pick-4 pool
came oh-so-close to reaching the six-figure mark, as a total of $99,938 was
pushed through the windows on the Big M’s signature bet. … All-source handle on
the 14-race program was $2,486,515. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m. with
another action-packed 14-race card.
