Meadowlands: NJSS action continues for 2-year-old males

Dexter Dunn went for a Sunday drive on Friday night at the Meadowlands, rating a slow enough pace to allow Handlelikeaporsche to hold off 4-5 favorite Lifes A Puzzle at the wire in the $30,000 second leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the pace.

The son of Lazarus-The Signature used the rail to his advantage as if he were racing on a half-mile track, securing the top around the first turn before reaching the quarter in a leisurely 29 2/5 as Lifes A Puzzle (Tim Tetrick) sat in the pocket.

There was no action to the half, which went in 58 seconds, or three-quarters, which went in 1:25 3/5. Given the fact that Handlelikeaporsche closed in 26 1/5 when beaten two weeks ago by Lifes A Puzzle, it would prove tough to catch him this time around.

Lifes A Puzzle almost pulled it off, closing in 25 4/5, but came up a neck short. Voukefalas was third.

Both Handlelikeaporsche and Lifes A Puzzle now have one win from two lifetime starts, with one win against the other in the NJSS. Handlelikeaporsche, the 9-5 second choice who is trained by Chris Ryder, paid $5.80 to win after completing the mile in 1:51 3/5.

There were also two $30,000 NJSS splits for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the trot.

The first was taken by Celebrity Bambino, a son of Muscle Hill-Celebrity Ruth, in 1:53. Driven by Yannick Gingras and trained by Ron Burke, Celebrity Bambino, the 7-2 third choice in the wagering, sat a pocket trip before going by leader Ari Ferrari J on the way to a 1 3/4 length win over Dire Straits, who rallied to get second.

Oh Well was ultra-impressive taking the other division for trotting males, overcoming post nine. Driven by Tetrick for trainer Marcus Melander, the son of Muscle Hill-Fine Tuned Lady made a big move around the far turn to get into contention, then continued to chip away at leader Up Your Deo's edge before nailing that one at the wire by a head in 1:54 1/5 as the even-money favorite.

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A LITTLE MORE: There were no winning tickets sold in the 20-cent Pick 6, creating a carryover of $8,415 for Saturday. Those with five correct collected $97.50. Once again, there was only winning ticket sold in the 20-cent Survivor Pick 7, but the sequence was anything but longshot-laden. The winner's odds were 2-1, 2-1, 2-1, 6-5, 6-1, 2-1 and 9-5. That sharp player walked away with $8,202. Andy McCarthy led the driver colony with three victories, including a sweep of the late double, which returned $143.00. All-source handle totaled $2,275,512. Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m. with a fantastic 13-race card that includes four Graduate Series finals (for purses totaling $750,000) plus two eliminations for the $600,000 Meadowlands Pace.

--press release (Meadowlands)--