My Happiness E P emerged from a tough spot before exploding home in the stretch to take the featured $40,000 fifth leg of the Miss Versatility for free for all trotting mares at the Meadowlands Friday night, kicking off the track’s abbreviated two-week September racing schedule.
The eight-year-old daughter of Credit Winner came back from more two months on the shelf to score in a conditioned event on September 3 at Pocono Downs, which prepared her to take on a tough Big M field that included 2-1 second choice Jewels In Hock, who had raced well against division giant Hannelore Hanover in her three previous starts.
The post time favourite, 6-5 chance Charmed Life, reached the lead in :28 and was permitted to march on the front end through fractions of :56 and 1:23.2. Charmed Life was clear by a length and half at the head of the stretch, but My Happiness E P, who appeared to have no shot racing in fifth at three-quarters in a dull second-over flow, tipped off cover and sprinted home in :27 to get up by a head in a lifetime-best 1:51.3. Barn Doll got up for second with Charmed Life hanging on for third.
My Happiness E P, the 5-1 fourth choice in the wagering, paid $12.80 in winning for the second time this year in seven starts for driver Andrew McCarthy, trainer Ake Svanstedt and owners Pal Granlund and Thomas Grini.
Andy Miller led the driver colony with four winners on the program, among them two-year-old colt trotter Fly On, who scored in 1:56 in the third leg of the Kindergarten Classic for freshmen colts and geldings.
Racing resumes at the Big M Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
(Meadowlands)