Hot Mess Express got into the win column for the first time in five seasonal starts on Friday night (May 5) at The Meadowlands in a mid-level conditioned pace for mares and her driver is hopeful the lifetime earner of more than $884,000 can get back to being the kind of horse she was earlier in her career.

Scott Zeron said he thinks she’ll be able to go with the good horses in her division.

“Half-mile tracks aren’t her specialty," he noted. "She’s getting her confidence back.”

Hot Mess Express, who is owned by former NBA standout Sam Bowie, started the year with three unspectacular outings in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers, but rebounded with a good third-place finish at The Big M on April 29 before taking her first winner’s circle photo of the year on Friday night.

The five-year-old daughter of Panther Hanover-My Heart Was True had a stellar three-year-old season during 2021 when she banked more than $655,000, which included a win in the Mistletoe Shalee at The Meadowlands in a lifetime-best 1:48.3.

On Friday, she had to overcome post 10, but proved up to the challenge.

“She was great tonight,” said Zeron. “My plan was just to leave and reassess in the first turn. I decided to take a little relief [by sitting a four-hole trip].”

Hot Mess Express went after leader Huntress down the backside, was within 1-1/2 lengths of that foe at the top of the stretch before wearing her down nearing the wire to record a safe score by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.2. Huntress held second with Miss Chantilly N third.

“She’s a good grinder and I thought she was the class of the field," said Zeron.

A Tony Alagna trainee, Hot Mess Express has now won precisely one-half of her 46 lifetime starts.

As the 6-5 favourite, she returned $4.40 to her backers.

The Brett Pelling-trained three-year-old gelding Command (Captaintreacherous-Fable) used a pocket trip to gun down the previously unbeaten Ants Marching in a sparkling 1:50 as the 6-5 public choice.

The 20-cent Survivor remains one of the better bets at The Big M, as those with winning tickets cashed in for $7,339.30 despite only needing six winning selections. Winners' odds during the sequence were 6-5, 9-2, 8-5, 8-1, 6-5, 5-2 and 3-1, as five were sent to the gate as the favourite.

All-source wagering on Friday’s 14-race card was $3,051,780.

Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

(With files from The Meadowlands)