Meadowlands: 'Wrong' proves right in Garden State, $27,713 Pick 5 carryover Saturday

Wrong Sounds Right picked up his third win in his last four tries Friday night at the Meadowlands after taking the featured $80,000 Garden State for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the trot.

The Jim Campbell trainee, sent off as the popular 1-9 favorite, was reserved early, sitting fourth in the eight-horse field as 5-1 second choice Easy Down Blonde took the field past the quarter in 28 1/5.

Driver Todd McCarthy moved Wrong Sounds Right off the rail just after the half, which Easy Down Blonde reached in 56 4/5, and made his way after the leader. The eventual winner was getting close to Easy Down Blonde at three-quarters (1:26 1/5), before collaring that foe as the field straightened up in the stretch. Wrong Sounds Right then went on to an easy 3 1/4 length win in 1:53 1/5. Jazzy Blues rallied for second with Easy Down Blonde holding third.

"He was really good tonight. Off the turn, I wanted to come easy with him. He gave me a really good kick," said McCarthy. "Jim's done a good job managing this horse. I hope he has a big year. He trotted a good mile in his last start (when second in the New Jersey Sire Stakes Platinum final). He's got a great attitude. It's a good group of people to be working with."

Wrong Sounds Right, a Tactical Landing-Broadway Jo Ell colt who is owned by the Runthetable Stables, has now won three of five lifetime outings, good for earnings of $111,250. He paid $2.20 to win.

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JUMP IN THE PICK 5 POOL: After a 36-1 shot won the second race and a 32-1 chance the fourth, there were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick 5, creating a carryover of $27,713 for Saturday's card. The pool is estimated to be $100,000.

The Pick 5 is offered on races 1-5. Those with four correct selections Friday cashed in for $156.78.

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GREAT IN THE GARDEN STATE: There were two $50,000 divisions of the Garden State for 2-year-old filly trotters contested on the program, and those winners were:

-Race 4 (Division 1) - Special Orchid (Walner-Special Honor), Mark Herschberger was the driver, Tony Alagna is the trainer, time for the mile was 1:55 4/5 (first win in five lifetime tries), the win payout was $66.20 as the 32-1 longest shot on the board

-Race 6 (Division 2) - Rio De Janeiro (Walner-Devilish Delight), Joe Bongiorno, Nancy Takter, lifetime-best 1:54 1/5 (second win in five lifetime starts), $7.20 as the 5-2 second choice

DEVELOPING NICELY: Also on the program were a pair of $10,000 New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund events for 3-year-olds on the trot, and those emerging victorious were:

-Race 2 (Fillies) - Grand Prix Deo (Muscle Hill-Grand Stand), Bongiorno, Andrew Harris, lifetime-best 1:52 1/5 (second win in 13 lifetime outings), $74.60 as the 36-1 longest shot on the board

-Race 12 (Colts and Geldings) - Captain Jordan (Captain Corey-Jordan Blue Chip), Brett Beckwith, Scott DiDomenico, 1:54 2/5 (ninth win from 20 lifetime starts), $10 as the 4-1 third choice

A LITTLE MORE: Bongiorno was the leading driver on the night with four winner's circle visits. Melissa Keith called the races and had herself a good night picking winners. She had four on top, one short-priced favorite, and three others that paid $13.80, $17.80 and $12.20, respectively. All-source handle on the 13-race program totaled $1,922,441. Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m. (EDT).

--press release (Meadowlands)--