Meadowlands: New Jersey Breeders Maturity elims take place

Ab'sattitudexpress and Back Of The Neck, both stakes winners a year ago, began their 4-year-old campaigns with victories in their respective non-wagering New Jersey Breeders Maturity eliminations on Saturday evening at the Meadowlands.

Driven by Tim Tetrick, Ab'sattitudexpress faced off against Spoiled Princess (Dexter Dunn) in the $12,500 race for mares. Ab'sattitudexpress led her foe through stations of 29 1/5, 58 4/5, and 1:28 1/5, then sailed home in 26 1/5 to prevail by 2 3/4 lengths in a 1:54 2/5 mile.

Lucas Wallin trains Ab'sattitudexpress, a daughter of Trixton, for owner/breeder Stop The Jade Farm LLC. This was her eighth career win, and she has now pocketed $276,141.

Five male trotters entered their $15,000 tilt, and Back Of The Neck, driven by trainer Ake Svanstedt, showed the way through a soft pace of 28 2/5, 59 3/5, and 1:29 3/5 on his way to a 1:55 4/5 victory. Play Trix On Me (Scott Zeron) was second, two lengths behind the winner, and Toccoa Falls (Brian Sears) wound up third after coming first-over before three-quarters. Gerard (Tetrick) and Kasha V (Dunn) completed the order.

A 4-year-old son of Ready Cash, Back Of The Neck is owned by breeder Order By Stable in partnership with Howard Taylor, Judith Taylor, and Ake Svanstedt Inc. Back Of The Neck has compiled a record of 7-4-4 from 21 appearances, and he pushed his bankroll to $497,357.