Meadowlands: Darlinonthebeach wins Friday feature

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 1 3/4-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.

-edited release (Dave Little for Meadowlands)