Since returning from a four-week layoff on January 25, Canadian-owned Resita has been on a roll for trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras. Friday night, the five-year-old gelded son of Manofmanymissions won his third straight, scoring in the $15,750 conditioned trotting feature at The Meadowlands.

Resita, who defeated non-winners of $5,000 and non-winners of $8,500 in his last two outings, respectively, took on one-rung below the Preferred Handicap types on Friday – the non-winners of $15,000 class – and passed the test with flying colours.

The formful Derf Hanover was away quickly from post eight and had the lead at the quarter in :27.2. Resita rolled past that foe and had the point at the half in :56.4 as Pappy Go Go came after the leader and continued to press the issue at three-quarters in 1:24.4.

The eventual winner shrugged off Pappy Go Go turning for home, but the horse Pappy towed into contention – 25-1 longshot Nows The Moment – tipped off cover and came after Resita. Nows The Moment was in position to pull off the upset, but as he inched to almost even with Resita in deep stretch, he went off stride, and Resita went on to a 1-1/2-length win in a lifetime-best 1:53.1. Nows The Moment finished second, but was disqualified and placed fourth for being lapped on break to two other horses - Two Am and Derf Hanover – who were declared the official second – and third-place finishers, respectively.

As the lukewarm 5-2 favourite, Resita returned $7.40 to win and stayed perfect in three starts this year. He’s owned by breeder Andrea Lea Racingstables and ASA Farm. Lifetime, he’s won nine of 48 outings and banked $107,664.

A LITTLE MORE: Gingras’ remarkable February continued as the 39-year-old scored four times on the card, giving him 27 wins in 61 starts this month. … A simulcast player in Montreal was the only bettor to last seven legs in the 20-cent Survivor Pick-10 and walked away with $15,161. … Marcus Miller, Corey Callahan and Dexter Dunn all recorded driving doubles. … All-source wagering totaled $2,661,109. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m. Tuxedo Bay seeks his third straight win in the weekly pacing feature, the $21,000 Preferred Handicap.

(With files from Meadowlands)