A “win machine” in 2017 with 15 victories, Barn Girl launched the new year in her customary fashion with a front-end score in Thursday’s (Jan. 4) $20,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.

Barn Girl zipped to the front from post 7 for Aaron Merriman and easily turned back the first-over bid of Dreamsteeler. The six-year-old daughter of Cash Hall-Turquoise Sweetie held off the late challenge of the third-over Classical Annie to defeat her by a neck in 1:56.4 over a good surface. Lady Ping finished third.

Bill Bercury trains Barn Girl, who now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $579,868, for Renee Bercury.

Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. and Merriman each collected three wins on the 12-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Saturday (Jan. 6), when the program features a $15,000 total-pool guarantee for the Pick 4.

(The Meadows)