As it turns out, for Lukes Bar, it’s better to be the pursuer rather than the pursued.

In his first two 2025 starts, Lukes Bar flashed good early speed, only to get gunned down nearing the finish by Rock My Universe on both occasions. In the Friday, Feb. 21 feature at The Meadowlands – a $21,831 high-end conditioned trot – his driver, Patrick Ryder, knew another strategy would be necessary this time around leaving from the worst post at the track.

“He leaves so well,” said the 30-year-old reinsman. “I knew I wanted to utilize that a little.”

Striking Tactful led at the quarter in :28.4 before 4-5 favourite Rocket Man Hill moved from the pocket to the front at the three-eighths. Rocket Man Hill then hit the half in :57.4 before driver Joe Bongiorno asked for a :28.2 sprint to three-quarters, where Rocket Man Hill opened up a seemingly insurmountable 3-1/2-length lead in 1:26.1.

But Lukes Bar was in hot pursuit.

“I wanted to try and race him from off the pace but I knew coming from last wouldn’t work [from post 10],” said Ryder.

The 10-hole start left Lukes Bar very wide into the first turn, before Ryder wedged his way into the four-hole. At the half, Lukes Bar was out and steadily gaining while first-over, but still had work to do from second when they turned for home.

In deep stretch, Rocket Man Hill had had enough and weakened nearing the wire in his first pari-mutuel outing since last September, allowing Lukes Bar to come and grab a three-quarter-length win in 1:55.2, a lifetime best for the five-year-old gelded son of Bar Hopping-Lukes Sophie. Rocket Man Hill finished second with Industrialists third.

“I was thrilled with the way it worked out,” said Ryder. “I was lucky to get a spot on the turn. It allowed me to pull him first up and get a nice run through the stretch.”

Winning for the first time since the 2022 Millard Farms Series final at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the summer of his freshman season, Lukes Bar returned $12.80 as the 5-1 third choice in the wagering.

A Grand Circuit stakes-placed two-year-old who made just one start over the subsequent two race seasons, Lukes Bar is now three-for-11 lifetime. 

Chris Ryder trains the trotter for owner Anthony Timmins of Birmingham, Great Britain.

Brett Beckwith guided four winners on the card to lead the driver colony. The 22-year-old driver is currently third in the Big M standings with 21 victories.

The 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 paid $2,421.50 after a sequence that had winners' odds of 2-1, 4-5, 8-5, 5-1, 7-2, 1-5 and 2-1.

All-source handle on the 14-race card totalled $2,682,791 USD.

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

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)