A parade of two-year-old stars was on display Saturday evening at The Meadowlands as rookies rumbled in eliminations of the Three Diamonds, Goldsmith Maid, Valley Victory and Governor’s Cup.

Kissin In The Sand kicked off the festivities winning the $20,000 elimination of the Three Diamonds for the tandem of driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Nancy Johansson.

Sent off as the odds-on favourite, the daughter of got away third in the early going while Strong Opinion grabbed the racetrack and had the field chasing her past the quarter pole in :27. Tetrick revved up the engine on his charge in the backstretch, and in a matter of strides Kissin In The Sand found the front. She sailed through middle splits of :56.4 and 1:25.1 before using a :27.1 kicker to win impressively over Strong Opinion and Alexas Power.

“Kissin raced great and was well in hand,” said Johansson. “The ear plugs were never pulled. We’re happy that we will draw a good post as I think that could be the difference between her and Youaremycandygirl if they’re both on their game.”

The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Kiss Me Kate has compiled a 7-1-1 record from 13 starts so far this season, and she’s managed to bank $235,503 along the way for owners Marvin Katz of Toronto, Ont. and Hatfield Stables of Columbus, OH.

Plunge Blue Chip demolished the foes she faced in the $20,000 Goldsmith Maid elimination for trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt.

Departing from Post 10, the daughter of Muscle Mass-Dunk The Donato watched Dab Hanover chop out the opening quarter in :29.2 before rushing to the lead and taking the bull by the horns. Plunge Blue Chip strolled through middle fractions of :59.2 and 1:28.4 before rocketing home in :26.2 and winning by a big margin over race favourite Seviyorum in 1:55.1. Dab Hanover was third.

Svanstedt shares ownership on the talented lass with Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc of Walkill, NY. The star of the New York Sires Stakes program, who is 8-for-9 in her career, has banked over $200,000 to date.

Fourth Dimension made it look easy with his gate-to-wire triumph in the $20,000 elimination for the Valley Victory.

Brian Sears left out from the rail with the son of Chapter Seven-Corazon Blue Chip, and the colt sped through fractions of :28, :57 and 1:27 before kicking home in :28 to win with the greatest of ease over Kinda Lucky Lindy in 1:55. Taking home the show dough was Tito.

Marcus Melander trains the youngster, who now owns a 7-1-0 record from 10 starts this season. Courant Inc of Delray Beach, FL owns the career winner of $176,700.

Springsteen turned a second-over trip into a facile victory in the $20,000 Governor’s Cup elimination for driver Simon Allard and trainer Mark Harder.

Allard got away fourth with his charge, while Closing Statement fired to the lead and chopped out fractions of :28, :56 and 1:24.3. Springsteen was off the rail in the backstretch, and he was fortunate to sit on cover behind Nutcracker Sweet until the head of the lane. Allard pulled the trigger late and Springsteen responded with a :25.4 closing quarter which earned him the win by 1-3/4 lengths over Nutcracker Sweet in 1:50.4. Closing Statement held on to finish third.

Sent off as the second choice in the wagering, the son of Rock N Roll Heaven-American Charm won for the third time in 13 starts while bumping his bankroll to $192,106. The youngster is owned by Allard Racing Inc, Bruce Soulsby, Alan Weisenberg and Kapildeo Singh.

A group of seven distaffers faced the gate in a $25,000 TVG Mares event, and Darlinonthebeach turned in a brilliant performance for the team of driver Brett Miller and trainer Nancy Johansson.

Lady Shadow rolled to the lead and whacked out fast, first-half fractions of :26.1 and :54.2 before taking a backseat to the backstretch blasting Darlinonthebeach. Miller hustled her to the three-quarter pole in 1:21.1 and then used a :27.2 closing quarter to win in 1:48.3 over Bedroomconfessions and Windsun Glory.

“When Darlin is on her “A” game I don’t think many can go with her,” said Johansson. “It’s just unfortunate that she got a staph uterine infection earlier this summer and we didn’t get to see her best. She is super tough and hopefully she’ll get over the million-dollar mark next week.”

The four-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Darlins Delight is now 5-for-14 this season and 17-for-44 in her career. She’s stashed away $1,056,886 to date for owner/breeder White Birch Farm of Allentown, NJ.

(With quotes from The Meadowlands)

To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Meadowlands Racetrack.