By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Vinny
Ginsburg and Dexter Dunn had the hot hands Friday night at the Meadowlands, as
each drove three winners on the 13-race card.
Ginsburg, who entered the night tied
for 10th in the Big M driver standings, got his evening going with
Hammer Creek in the second race conditioned trot, going went wire to wire in
1:58.1 and returning $8.20 as the second choice in the betting.
Hammer Time was Ginsburg’s second
winner of the night in the fourth race conditioned trot, roaring past the field
after going a third-over trip. He returned $4.00 to win as the second choice in
the wagering after hitting the wire in 1:55.
Miss Ruby completed Ginsburg’s
three-bagger in the ninth race conditioned trot, gunning down 3-5 favorite
Miami by skimming the cones to grab the win in 1:54.4. As the second choice in
the wagering, Miss Ruby returned $9.80 to her backers.
Dunn, who started the night second in
the standings, scored with favorite Dawson Springs ($6.00) in the first race
conditioned trot in 1:55.3.
He followed that up with victories
behind Followthewind N ($9.20 as the third choice, 1:52.4) in the 10th
race fillies and mares conditioned pace before completing his big night guiding
Godspell Hall to an amazing victory in the 12th race conditioned
trot.
Racing in a fourth-over flow while
last at three-quarters, Godspell Hall exploded by the field to score in 1:56.4
and return $8.60 to win as the third choice.
TAG, YOU’RE IT: Tag Up And Go won the $18,000 feature
for conditioned trotters in the seventh race.
Marcus Miller piloted the Patti
Harmon trainee to victory in 1:53.3 after going a third-over trip and paid
$12.20 to win as the third choice in the betting. Rock Of Cashel, the 6-5
public choice, finished third while bidding for his third straight win.
THE CLAIM GAME: Friday marked the first time the Big
M has raced with increased purses since New Jersey lawmakers approved
purse-subsidy legislation, and the action at the claiming box was hot and heavy
as seven horses left at evening’s end with new connections.
A LITTLE MORE: One lucky player who lasted eight
legs in the 20-Cent Survivor Pick-10 had the wager’s lone winning ticket and
walked away with $12,753. … The 50-Cent Pick-4 pool topped six figures, as
$100,022 in action was taken. … All-source handle totaled $2,877,718. … Racing
resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
