Lucky James takes Eillo at Meadowlands

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Lucky James extended his winning streak to three Friday night, prevailing by a half-length over Easy Gallop in the $78,050 Eillo Stakes at the Meadowlands.

The race scratched down to four runners with the defections of Fleet Valid, who is expected to run Saturday afternoon in the Grade 1 De Francis Memorial at Laurel, and Secretintelligence.

Mister Triester, the 3-2 favorite, set the pace under continual pressure from Easy Gallop with Lucky James laying a close-up third.

Turning for home, Lucky James came off the rail to launch a three-wide bid that wore down the battling leaders in the final stages. Easy Gallop held second by a neck over Mister Triester with Who's the Cowboy fourth.

A 4-year-old gelded homebred for trainer Eddie Broome, Lucky James improved to 7 for 14 with a second straight stakes win. He captured the New Jersey Breeders Handicap for statebreds in late August at Monmouth Park.

Carlos Marquez, Jr. was aboard as Lucky James ($6.80) ran the six furlongs in 1:08.74 over the fast track on a showery evening.