O'Brien and Dan Patch Award winner Ariana G gave notice Friday night (May 19) at The Meadowlands that the road to the Hambletonian Oaks goes through her as she crushed seven overmatched foes in a $20,000 division of the first leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies by seven and three-quarter lengths in 1:52.2.

The Jimmy Takter trainee was more than prepared for her seasonal debut as driver Yannick Gingras put the daughter of Muscle Hill on the lead just after the quarter. Racing unpressured, the winner of 10-of-12 lifetime starts opened up an insurmountable edge after pocket-sitting Ice Attraction broke at the head of the stretch. She then sprinted home in :27.2, paying $2.10 as the 1-9 favourite for owners Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld. Dream Baby Dream was second with Southwind Prius third.

“She was really good,” said Gingras of Ariana G. “I couldn’t be any happier with her. She was as good as I expected her to be. I’m crossing my fingers she stays healthy and let her talent do the rest.”

The other two NJSS filly divisions were won by Glitzey Gal ($7.40 to win, 1:52.3 for the mile, David Miller driving, trainer Nifty Norman) and Colorful Jasmine ($2.40, 1:54.1, Corey Callahan, Thomas Cancelliere).

Ron Burke trainee What The Hill lowered his lifetime best by two-and-two-fifth seconds, impressively taking one of three NJSS divisions for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters. Driven by David Miller, the son of Muscle Hill stopped the clock in 1:52.2 to stay perfect in two seasonal starts. He returned $2.40 as the 1-5 public choice.

The Dylan Davis-trained Every Way Out ($2.10) and Long Tom ($3.80), conditioned by Marcus Melander, won the other sophomore colt and gelding divisions in identical clockings of 1:52.1. Both were driven by Tim Tetrick.

CHALK TALK: Seven favourites scored on the card, bringing the total over the last three programs to 18 winning chalks from 32 races (56 percent). … David Miller piloted four winners on the card, also including JL Cruze ($7.40, 1:51) in the $20,000 Preferred Trot over favoured Crazy Wow for trainer Eric Ell. … All-source wagering totalled $2,475,077. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m. with the Graduate for four-year-old trotters, featuring Dayson and Broadway Donna.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)