Te Quiero Lindy still has things to improve upon and things to learn before realizing what his connections think are his full potential, and the Julie Miller trainee took another step in that direction after taking the featured $22,143 conditioned trot on Friday, Jan. 31 at Meadowlands Racetrack.

The three-year-old Walner-Adios Lindy gelding, who was unraced at two, impressed despite making just the third start of his career.

“He needed to develop mentally and physically,” said Julie Miller. “He was immature and needed time [last year]. We’re grateful that our owners are patient and let us develop him. We have high expectations for this season.”

Based on what went down Friday, those hopes could be exceeded.

Julie Miller's son, Tyler, guided Te Quiero Lindy from post 10 and found a spot sixth at the three-eighths after 4-5 favourite Chuck took the field past the quarter in :28.2. Chuck remained on the point at the half in :57.3 as Te Quiero Lindy was on the move with cover from mid-pack. Modigliani S was providing the tow for Te Quiero Lindy but suffered interference from a breaker, forcing Te Quiero Lindy three-wide down the backside.

But on this night, he was good enough to encounter problems and prevail, nonetheless.

“My horse was pretty strong in hand two weeks ago [when he won],” said Tyler Miller. “I just wanted to stay out of traffic. There was some traffic trouble at the five-eighths but we were able to maneuver around it.”

Te Quiero Lindy was in the hunt racing fourth at three-quarters as Chuck hit that beam in 1:27.1, but Te Quiero Lindy steamrolled past that foe and grabbed the lead at the head of the stretch on the way to a 1-1/2-length win in 1:57 over a track rated ‘good.’ Striking Tactful, Chasin Sunshine and Chuck finished second through fourth, respectively.

“[Chuck] has been racing well but I was pretty confident in my horse,” said Tyler Miller. “We’re probably going to race him here and there and in some stakes later in the season. He’s proven he’s got some talent.”

Te Quiero Lindy is owned by Andy Miller Stable, P.J. Hoopes and Lindy Farms of Connecticut.

He returned $7.60 to win as the 5-2 second choice in the wagering.

After the 14-race Friday night program at The Meadowlands had precisely zero favourites emerge victorious, players will no doubt come out betting with both hands on the 20-cent Pick-6 on Saturday, which will begin with a carryover of $21,413. With that much fuel to light the fire, a conservative estimate of $100,000 in “new money” is expected to be poured into the pool. The Pick-6 begins in race eight and free past performances of every race of every Big M card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

Friday night’s Pick-6 was almost hit, as heading into the payoff leg (race 13), there were two tickets alive, both with 6-5 favourite Miss Dottie Mae, who went parked the opening half and hung in there determinedly through the lane, only to be gunned down by 5-1 fourth choice Take Your Pick. Winners' odds for the sequence were 7-2, 12-1, 2-1, 9-1, 2-1 and 5-1. Those with five correct selections cashed in for $188.92.

Brett Beckwith led the driver colony with three victories on the night.

All-source handle totalled $3,039,231 USD.

Racing resumes on Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)