One of the sport’s stars—Shebestingin—returned to the track for the first time since November and hardly disappointed. The Joe Holloway trainee breezed to a 1:52 2/5 qualifying victory at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday morning despite facing some light rain. Shebestingin, who became the fastest female pacer in history after her 1:47 mile clocked at The Red Mile last year, made a brush to the front between the 28 3/5 opening quarter and 57 1/5 half. She then picked up the pace with a 28 1/5 third quarter before wrapping up the mile under very minimal urging by driver David Miller in 1:52 2/5. Holloway, who said he would qualify Shebestingin twice before racing in an overnight race or two leading up to the Miami Valley Distaff during the first week of May, is hoping the daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Armbro Tussle is over some of the issues she experienced behind the gate early in her career. “I think she is getting mature,” said Holloway. “She was so lightly raced at two, had she raced more she might not have had the issues last year.” After finishing 2013 with three straight victories and with the world record for speed on her résumé, Shebestingin has plenty to live up to as she prepares to return to pari-mutuel action. She is clearly as fast as any mare in the game, but what about facing the boys either this year or in 2015? “We’ll see how the beginning of the year goes; maybe at some point. Let’s hope it gets to that point,” said Holloway on Shebestingin tackling the likes of Captaintreacherous and Foiled Again. “The difference between mares and boys, the mares can only have one (foal) a year, so even if they sell a high-priced foal, if you can make a lot of money on the track, you are probably better off racing,” reasoned Holloway, sort of giving a hint that Shebestingin could be back as a 5-year-old in 2015. Shebestingin earned $638,626 as a 3-year-old last year for owners Val D’Or Farms, Theodore Gewertz and L&L Devisser. Michael’s Power also made his first qualifying start of the season during the morning action. The former Little Brown Jug winner finished second behind a sharp Sweet Talkin Stain by 2 1/2 lengths in a 1:53 mile. Perhaps the most visually impressive winner during the eight-race session was Undercover Strike. Making his first start for trainer Jonas Czernyson, the 6-year-old waited patiently along the cones before charging home under a tight hold by driver Corey Callahan. The final time for the trotter was 1:54 2/5. [DRF HARNESS: Check out our NEW and IMPROVED Harness Eye PPs and see our discount packages]