Meadowlands: Trolley rolls in Friday feature

Even Marcus Miller must have been surprised at how easy things went for him and Trolley in the Friday night feature at the Meadowlands.

In a field where one scratch (Zlatan) left but six starters in the $25,000 Preferred Handicap for trotters, Miller urged Trolley from the start, setting sail for the top and leading at the quarter in 28 3/5. The 6-year-old Donato Hanover-Lakeside Bride product continued his sleepwalk to the half in 56 3/5 as pocket-sitter Rubber Duck and Sutton – who was racing in the three-hole – did not move a muscle.

Trolley trotted his third fraction in 27 3/5 to remain clear on the engine and after coming home in 29 2/5, he hit the wire two lengths in front of a fast-closing – but non-threatening – Sutton. Rubber Duck held third.

“It’s nice when a plan comes to fruition,” said Miller. “I never really had any doubts tonight off of those fractions. He was very, very strong.”

The Erv Miller-trained Trolley returned $3.80 to his backers after completing the mile in 1:53 3/5. He’s now won five-of-six this year while facing the best stock on the grounds at the Big M. He has 16 wins from 31 career starts and earnings of $353,209 for owners Michael Anderson, Leland Mathias, Greg Gillis and Louis Willinger.

In the co-featured Preferred Handicap for fillies and mares on the pace, Divas Image, who looked rough-gaited at the start, settled for a fourth-over trip, tipped wide in the stretch, then exploded home in 26 3/5 to record a one-length win in 1:53 2/5 as the 3-5 favorite for driver Andy Miller. Believe In Me was second with Newsday third.

“When she was rough behind the gate, I didn’t know what to expect,” said winning trainer Jenn Bongiorno. “But I do know closing is definitely her best game. She absolutely loves the stretch at the Big M.”

Divas Image, a 6-year-old by Bettor’s Delight-Rocknroll Diva, won for the second time this year in four starts (two-for-two at the Big M) and now has won 23-of-70 lifetime outings and banked just over $575,000.

A VERY GOOD START: Friday marked the first-ever Can-Am Pick-4 – a wager where one must pick the winners of two races at both the Meadowlands and Woodbine Mohawk Park – and the response was vigorous.

A total of $57,489 was poured in the pool and after a sequence that saw winner’s odds of 5-2, 6-5, 11-1 and 7-2, the return was a handsome $596.51 for a 20-Cent bet.

The Can-Am Pick-4 will be offered on Friday nights.

A LITTLE MORE: One player wagering into the Oregon hub was the holder of the only ticket to last five legs in the 20-Cent Survivor Pick-10 and walked away with $10,549.56. … During the course of the 13-race program there were six winning favorites, but longshot players hit big in the third race when La Dolfina ($99.80) scored at 48-1. Five races later, Piercewave Hanover skimmed the cones at 60-1 and returned $128.20. … All-source handle totaled $2,634,286. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

PURSES ON THE RISE: On the next condition sheet covering March 29-30, purses will again rise significantly for overnight racing to over $200,000 per card.

3-YEAR-OLD STAKES: The Meadowlands has totaled up the number of nominations for the April Late Closing 3-year-old series' and both the filly trot and pace divisions, the "Shake It Cerry" and "Worldly Beauty" will be cancelled due to lack of entries. The colt & gelding trot and pace titled the "Walner" and "Wiggle It Jiggleit" will be raced as scheduled beginning Friday, April 5.

Refunds will be made to the nominator for the filly divisions.

The lists of nominees will be posted on the web. Call the racing office at 201-842-5130 with questions.

-edited release (Dave Little & Meadowlands)