Meadowlands: Pick 6 carryover added to Saturday's stakes-filled program

The 20-cent Pick 6 went unhit on Friday night at the Meadowlands, creating a carryover of $4,810 for Saturday. Those with five correct collected $72.88.

DONATO PATRIOT K WINS FEATURE: Donato Patriot K showed some good recent form heading into the $18,000 high-end conditioned trotting feature Friday night, and driver Dave Miller supplied a pair of red-hot hands on a five-winner night as the duo teamed up to record an easy 2 1/2 length win in 1:53 on a night that saw a real-feel temperature of 26 degrees.

The race did not pan out as expected, when 3-5 favorite Lexus Kody, off a win at this level 14 days ago as the 1-2 public choice, did not mind his manners. He was away slowly before going off-stride approaching the half after racing in sixth, the fourth time in his last five starts that he made a break.

That left Donato Patriot K, the 7-5 second choice, as the one to beat.

"Donato" went a three-hole trip, and Miller provided perfect piloting with the 6-year-old gelded son of Donato Hanover-Baby American on a night when the front-end was not the place to be.

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Dejerate Hanover was the leader past the half in 55 seconds and three-quarters in 1:24 after wrestling the top away from Mon Amour, who, in search of a third straight score, hit the quarter in 27 3/5.

On the far turn, Outside The Fire was racing on the rim uncovered as Donato Patriot K vacated the three-hole and picked up that live tow. With about an eighth of a mile to go, Miller swung the Joe Bongiorno trainee three-wide before steamrolling his way to victory lane. Outside The Fire held second with Mon Amour third.

"He's just a very game horse, who, when he's feeling his best, puts out an A+ effort," said Bongiorno, "and that was good enough to take down some really highly-regarded horses tonight."

Owned by the Ely Stable, Donato Patriot K returned $4.80 to his backers as he recorded his 26th career win from 117 starts, good for earnings of $291,443.

A LITTLE MORE: Bongiorno finished the night with four winners to lead the trainer colony. Dexter Dunn was a close second to Miller with four driving wins. All-source handle on the 14-race card totaled $2,710,949. Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m. (EST) when $2.57 million in purses will be up for grabs on Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night, the final major race card on the 2024 harness racing calendar.

--press release (Meadowlands)--