Big Jim earned millionaire status as he cruised to victory in the $400,000 Anthony Abbatiello SBOA New Jersey Classic for three-year-old New Jersey sired pacing colts at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday night

.

Driven by Phil Hudon, 1-2 favourite Big Jim floated off the gate from Post 8 and brushed to command ahead of inside starter Shadyshark Hanover (Tim Tetrick) past the :27-second opening quarter mark. The son of Western Ideal-Bold Pink reached the half in :54, followed by three-quarters in 1:22.4 and cruised to victory in 1:51. High Noon (Ron Pierce) finished second and Shadyshark Hanover was third.

"I was going to [take hold of him going into the first turn] and then I said I'm going to end up being first up so I said I might as well try and take a shot to the front and then hopefully get a breather," said Hudon in the winner's circle. "We did get a little breather so it worked out good.

"I let him pace a little bit late because I heard Pierce was coming pretty good so I was chasing him for sure. I let him pace, but that's a good mile today -- it's pretty windy."

Big Jim, last year's Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year in both Canada and the U.S. thanks in part to a 1:49.1 World Record performance in the Governor’s Cup, is trained by James 'Friday' Dean for owner Jim Carr of Hamilton, Ont.

"He did everything I expected him to do," said Carr of Big Jim's winning effort tonight. "The only thing I'm disappointed there wasn't enough kids in the winner's circle. I guess I'm going to have to hire a bus and bring them down because its tough to get the kids out here. At home, they all flock to the winner's circle."

Carr noted that the Big Jim team has not yet decided if the colt will contest the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes next at Mohawk Racetrack.

"He may miss it to give him a week off, but we'll definitely be in the North America Cup."

Big Jim, who won his season's debut in the New Jersey Classic prep race one week ago, paid $3 to win. With eight wins in 12 lifetime starts, Big Jim now boasts $1,046,580 in career earnings. He has been assessed as the favourite in Trot Magazine’s 2011 Spring Book.

Earlier in the evening, Krispy Apple romped to victory in the companion $150,000 Thomas D'Altrui Miss New Jersey for fillies.

Driven by Tim Tetrick, Krispy Apple sling shot off live cover in the stretch and drew off to a three-length tally over Honky Tonk Woman (Yannick Ginrgas) in 1:50.3. Rocklamation (Andy Miller) finished third off a ground-saving journey. Sent off the even-money favourite, Krispy Apple paid $4.

"I was really worried in the first half, getting away where I did [in fifth]," said Tetrick, who posted his second straight win in the stakes. "I didn't know if I was going to have to be first up the rest of the way. Luckily, I had cover [I Kill Time] and it led me up to the top of the lane. She did everything right from there. She had 'go' and I knew she could get me home. She did it real easy. All the way to the wire, she was still pacing."

Krispy Apple is now perfect in four starts this season. The daughter of Western Ideal-Apple Krisp made the most of her two starts as a freshman by finishing second in a Matron elimination and winning the $147,600 final on November 13, 2010. Trainer Mark Kesmodel and New Jersey partners Jeffrey Bamond and Joseph Davino purchased the unraced filly from Bulletproof Enterprises' dispersal sale last October.

"She's going to get a week off and then she goes to the Fan Hanover [at Mohawk]," Bamond said.

The New Jersey Classic and Miss New Jersey are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.

In other action, Whiskey Pete, with Brian Sears in the bike, returned to the Big M and blew by his rivals in deep stretch to capture the $30,000 Open Pace for four and five-year-olds in a sizzling 1:48.4. The four-year-old son of Art Major, who picked off Panesthetic and Ideal Matters for the win, is trained by Nat Varty for owner Theodore Gewertz of New York.

The $30,000 Kings Of The Deuces Final went to Jimmy Takter trainee Rollwithitharry and Ron Pierce in 1:51.4. The three-year-old Rocknroll Hanover-Queen Otra colt prevailed by a head over Keep Going and Open Water for Christina Takter of East Windsor, New Jersey, John and Jim Fielding of Toronto and Louie Camara of Puslinch, Ont.

For results from Saturday’s harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Meadowlands Racetrack.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)