Racing off a 40-day layoff and parked the entire first quarter from post 9, Barn Girl hung tough in the lane and captured Tuesday’s $20,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.

Barn Girl, who last performed in the Sept. 21 Miss Versatility final at the Delaware County Fair — she finished third — was dogged the entire back half by the first-over Classical Annie. But the five-year-old daughter of Cash Hall-Turquoise Sweetie dug in for Aaron Merriman and edged Classical Annie by a neck in 1:55.2. Fancytucky rallied for show.

Bill Bercury trains Barn Girl, who won for the 12th time this year and now boasts $537,968 in career earnings, for Renee Bercury. It was one of three victories for Merriman on the 13-race card.

(The Meadows)