Meadowlands: Handle of over $4.4 million on Saturday night

Betting bettered the $4 million plateau for the fourth time this year on Saturday night at the Meadowlands, as all-source play totaled $4,451,363 (average per race: $342,412), the second highest night of action at The Big M this year, to fall just $100,000 short of what was bet on Jan. 2. Three races saw total pools of over $400,000, with the eighth race the best of the night (and the year), at $498,525.

Action for the weekend totaled $7,967,639, by far a 2021 best.

In on-track happenings, Lindy The Great, who banked over $390,000 a year ago despite winning only once, upped his 2021 record to two wins in as many tries in taking the $30,000 Preferred Handicap for trotters in 1:52 1/5.

The Andy Miller-driven, Julie Miller-trained 7-year-old got roughed up a bit from post eight before making the lead at the half in 56 3/5, then kicked home in a final half of 55 1/5 to hold off the late-surging Mississippi Storm by a nose to up his career earnings to $1,069,199.

He paid $3.60 as the 4-5 public choice.

One week ago, Stars Align A became the fastest performer in harness racing this year with a clocking of 1:48, and the Jenn Bongiorno trainee proved that was no fluke by beating a field of Preferred pacers that included Ana Afreet N (who finished fifth in the six-horse field) and Sintra (fourth as the 3-5 favorite).

Jenn's brother, Joe, put the 8-year-old Stars Align A on the point at the half in 55 2/5 before pacing a back-half in a dazzling 53 3/5. He hit the finish in 1:49, two lengths in front of Colossal Stride A. Wheels On Fire was third.

Stars Align A returned $7.60 to his backers as the second choice in the wagering.

--edited press release (Meadowlands)--