Meadowlands: Lexus Kody conquers rivals in the JL Cruze for open trotters

Lexus Kody, the 2025 Trotter of the Year, put in powerhouse performance, equaling the track record of 1:49 4/5 while capturing the $131,250 Grade 3 JL Cruze for older male trotters on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. With Yannick Gingras in the sulky, Lexus Kody held off a game, first-over bid by Up Your Deo to prevail.

Sir Pinocchio and Jason Bartlett out-sprinted six others to the front into the first turn. Gingras allowed Lexus Kody to be looped but then drove up sharply to get control at the 27 4/5 first quarter. Lexus Kody marched along with the field in straight-alignment to the half in 55 seconds with Up Your Deo and Ake Svanstedt moving from sixth and making a bold first-over move as Lexus Kody rated the third quarter, hitting that pole in 1:23

Lexus Kody had more left while Up Your Deo attacked on even-terms through much of the stretch, but Gingras pushed the Ron Burke-trained Lexus Kody and prevailed with a final quarter of 26 4/5 to earn the victory. Up Your Deo was well clear of Aetos Kronos S in third.

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Owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and Phil Collura, Lexus Kody was a winner for the second time in four starts this year and pushed his career earnings beyond $2 million with the victory. Sent off as the heavy favorite, Lexus Kody returned $2.60 to win.

"Down the stretch Ake's horse wouldn't go away. It was a good battle," said Gingras following the race.