JL Cruze stayed perfect in three seasonal starts Friday night (April 15), taking the featured $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at The Meadowlands by one and a half lengths over Shake It Cerry. Opulent Yankee was third.
A five-year-old gelded son of Crazed, JL Cruze used a change in tactic from his first two victories of the season and was hustled to the top by driver John Campbell before hitting the quarter in :27.1.
Campbell was allowed to rate the Eric Ell trainee through a half in :56.4 and three-quarters in 1:25.3, leaving plenty of gas in the tank.
At the top of the stretch, Rose Run Parker was a non-threatening presence alongside the eventual winner, but did provide live cover for Shake It Cerry, the lifetime earner of $2.4 million who was making her 2016 debut. Shake It Cerry closed well in a solid try for the Jimmy Takter barn.
JL Cruze, who is pointing toward the May 8 Mack Lobell Elitlopp Playoff at the Big M, hit the wire in 1:52.2 after trotting a final quarter in :26.4 and paid $3 to win as the 1-2 favourite.
Campbell, the all-time leader in wins and earnings at the Big M, scored four times on the card. In addition to JL Cruze in the sixth race, Campbell won with Massive Clout ($6.80 to win) in the first, Kiss Me Onthebeach ($8.60) in the third and longshot I C Caviar ($33) in the eighth.
All-source wagering on the 12-race card was $2,650,557 while the 12th race Jackpot Super High Five carryover swelled to $179,502.82 for the next racing program after the wager was again not hit.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)