By Dave Little, Meadowlands
Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. –
Trolley got the better of arch-rival Muscle Diamond for a second straight week
in the feature and the Meadowlands paid tribute to civil-rights legend Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. on an action-packed Friday night at the mile oval.
Trolley was at the top of his
game once again, and while seven days prior he had luck on his side in the form
of clearance in the stretch after a rail trip, this time around he determinedly
earned his way to a third win in the $21,000 Preferred Handicap for trotters in
his last four tries.
Trolley displayed early speed
this time around – a completely different tactic than the week before – before
yielding the point grudgingly to even-money favorite Muscle Diamond at the
three-eighths.
The twosome sped clear of the
field at the half in :55.2 as 5-2 third choice Melady’s Monet was activated
from fifth, but this would be a two-horse battle to the finish.
Marcus Miller popped Trolley
out of the pocket around the far turn, briefly providing cover for Melady’s
Monet, and had 1¼ lengths to make up in the final three-sixteenths.
He chipped away at Muscle
Diamond’s advantage through the lane before wearing down that foe in deep
stretch on the way to a 1¼-length win in 1:53.1. Melady’s Monet finished third.
As the 9-5 second choice,
Trolley returned $5.60 to his backers for trainer Erv Miller and owners Michael
Anderson, Leland Mathias, Greg Gillis and Louis Willinger. The 6-year-old son
of Donato Hanover-Lakeside Bride has now won 13-of-27 career starts and earned
$313,459.
“KING” WINS THE KING: Jim “King” Solomon guided Waltzacrossthewire (1:54 as
the 7-5 favorite) to victory in the first race on the card, the Martin Luther
King Remembrance Race, which exclusively featured African-American drivers. The
event honored the slain civil-rights leader, who was born on Jan. 15, 1929.
“Dr. King was always adamant
about a better quality of life for black Americans,” said Mike Cruse, one of
the driving forces behind the event, “and not only black Americans, but a
better quality of life for all Americans. He was a powerful guy. We have a lot
of admiration for him.”
A LITTLE MORE: For all updates concerning if the Big M will race on
Saturday given the impending inclement weather, check www.playmeadowlands.com.
… Corey Callahan had a driving triple on the card while Marcus Miller and
Anthony Napolitano had two apiece. Jenn Bongiorno had a training double. … The
Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five was hit. The lone player holding a ticket
with the combination 7-2-6-4-9 in the 14th race walked away with $43,014.58. …
All-source wagering on the 14-race program totaled $2,741,370.
