Four $150,000 New Jersey Classic finals for 2- and 3-year-old male and female pacers were part of a stakes-laden Friday night program at the Meadowlands. Papis Pistol, driven by Jason Bartlett, returned from finishing third in a New Jersey Classic prep last week at the Meadowlands – pitted against the two main rivals in this week's final – and took distinct command of all four quarters to win the final for sophomore colts and geldings in a startling 1:47 4/5, which is far better than his previous speed badge on the oval. The son of Papi Rob Hanover-Bang Bang took the lead into a fiery 26 second first panel and ruled the mile from there. Betting favorite Captain Optimistic sat in the catbird seat as the quick pace ensued with a 54 1/5 half. Bartlett sat pretty with Papis Pistol while Manolete moved out of third to challenge on the outside but plateaued in the turn as the tempo stayed hot. Bartlett had his charge coasting through three-quarters in 1:21 3/5 and had plenty left in the lane to deliver a final quarter in 26 1/5 and win with little challenge by two lengths. Captain Optimistic gave chase to get second from Manolete, who levelled off into third. Tom Horn took fourth. Trainer Sam De Pinto said of Papis Pistol that, leading up to this race, "his feet were bothering him and we addressed it. That's the results right there; he got a lot better up front. He was waiting for that mile." De Pinto also said he did not do anything different approaching this race, except "the only thing I did different [was] I didn’t train him. I just jogged him this week rather than train him, just to keep him happy. He does the rest." Papis Pistol has now earned $403,032 by winning his third race of his sophomore season in 10 starts and his seventh race from 24 starts in his career. De Pinto co-owns Papis Pistol with Chris Arvantis, Anthony Perretti and Brad Shackman. He paid $7.60 to win. Bookie J - driven by Dexter Dunn - won the final for 2-year-old colts and geldings, going the mile in a personal-best 1:51 1/5. Callmebigpapi left fastest from post seven to take the first lead as Rocknacious followed with Bookie J in third. As the field approached the 27 second first quarter, Hunting Glory left the pylons and soared to the top. That one barely settled on the point as Bookie J eased out to chase for the lead.  The shuffling continued as Callmebigpapi looped back to the front before Bookie J planted on the lead just past a 56 2/5 half. Bookie J had a ton of speed left and Dunn let him loose in the turn to cut three-quarters in 1:24 3/5. Dunn held a comfortable lead in the stretch until Hunting Glory found room on the inside and rushed forward late but too late, settling for second by a neck. Callmebigpapi took the show spot and Azrael Blue Chip finished fourth. Chris Ryder trains Bookie J for owner Kenneth Jacobs. The colt paid $2.60 winning his second of seven starts and raised his freshman bankroll to $131,250. Owner Jacobs said the $50,000 yearling started slow but got better under the supervision of Chris Ryder. "They're never cheap, but I do a lot of research and I try to find one that doesn't always command [a big price]," Jacobs said. "Especially a pacer – trotters are [mostly] $200,000, so I try to find one underneath $100,000 and usually I'm successful. [This colt] keeps getting better.” ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Worklifebalance and Perfect Thought both uncorked strong stretch bursts to claim their respective New Jersey Classic finals for pacing fillies. Driver Andy McCarthy ripped off cover with Worklifebalance and withstood an intensifying push from 3-5 favorite Asphalt to win the final for 3-year-olds in a lifetime-best 1:49 4/5. McCarthy settled into fourth through a 27 second first quarter while 17-1 shot Shesgotthejack hurried to the lead. Despite the field rolling single file, Shesgotthejack maintained steady speed to a 55 4/5 half and prepared for the challengers looming in the last turn. Asphalt edged outside and flushed cover from Worklifebalance, who in turn caught cover from pocket-popping Beach Babe as they moved for three-quarters in 1:23 2/5. Shesgotthejack clung to a diminishing lead as McCarthy launched his charge off cover with Asphalt gathering steam to her outside. Worklifebalance quickened enough with Asphalt creeping nearer and reached the finish in time for the win by a head while Shesgotthejack held her ground to snag the photo for third from Beach Babe in fourth. "That's a very good filly, Asphalt. I figured if she was on my helmet turning for home I'd have a lot to deal with," Andy McCarthy said after the race. "But first time Lasix I guess helped her out a little bit - she really fought hard to the wire. The trip worked out really good for me. I got to just move her in the last turn there, picked up cover for a bit and got to sprint home from there." Noel Daley trains Worklifebalance, a daughter of Cattlewash-Ubettergo Go, and co-owns alongside KDP Stable LLC. She won her fifth race from 12 starts this season and her sixth race from 20 starts in her career, earning $309,771. She paid $6.60 to win. Perfect Thought chased steady speed from a pocket and sprinted home best in a strung-out field to win the final for the rookies in a 1:51 1/5 mile. Driver Scott Zeron floated forward with Perfect Thought, the 4-5 favorite, and secured a snug spot behind pace-setter Car Keys into a 27 1/5 first quarter. No movement came after Car Keys up the backstretch, leaving the leader to gallivant to a 56 1/5 half. Perfect Thought continued to follow intently as the field hit the far turn. Car Keys readied for the pounce rolling to three-quarters in 1:24 3/5 since Perfect Thought remained the last foe in contention coming for home. Zeron tipped his charge outside and faced little struggle sliding to the top in the lane. Perfect Thought shrugged by Car Keys and posted a 2 1/4 length win. Pa Perfect gave pursuit another five lengths behind to hold third from the late-charging Napalm in fourth. "Dex's filly was exceptional, too, and obviously we turned it into a match race late," Zeron said after the race. "She trained down exceptionally and [Anthony MacDonald] told me before he sent her that she's a really special filly, and she has qualified and raced like that. She's a nice big horse that doesn't get stressed out, carries her speed really well. Dex kept a good tempo, which was why she was able to maintain that down the lane. So obviously racing against some bigger and better horses that go a little faster, we'll see [how she does]." Megan Scran trains Perfect Thought, a daughter of Perfect Sting-Think Pink owned by Thestable Perfect Thought. The filly bagged her fourth win from six tries and propelled her earnings to $147,150. She paid $3.80 to win.  --edited press releases (Meadowlands)--