Splitting horses late after cutting a circuitous path through the stretch, Vicky Gill, a native of England, guided 13-1 chance Trumps Girl to victory in the International Women’s Day Mile at The Meadowlands on Saturday night, a race that featured all-female drivers. The race, of course, was for conditioned pacing fillies and mares.

McKenzie Sowers had 80-1 longshot Anneliese Hanover on a speed mission from the outset, cutting out fractions of :27.4, :56.1 and 1:23.3 racing on an open lead, but the fast fractions proved too tough, setting it up for a closer.

“They were all going so fast out of the gate. I just thought, I’m not messing with these,” said Gill. “I conceded they were all going to be wide around the first bend, so I thought the sooner I got to the rail, the better.”

Gill had Trumps Girl along the inside sitting a five-hole trip as the taxing action took place in front of her. She still had plenty to do at the head of the lane, but after angling off the rail at the head of the stretch, Trumps Girl weaved her way through the lane, with the second time she split rivals being the final surge that got her past second-place finisher Oakwoodjusasnob IR (Lauren Harmon) by three-quarters-of-a-length in 1:54.3. Always In Flight (Alexandra Sarkine) closed for third.

“I got into a good position and a couple of the girls got parked going around the last bend,” said Gill, who was making her American debut. “I was still sitting there with a good handful and I had to do some weaving in the home stretch but it all paid off in the end.

“I had a lot of horse. I just needed to get through and I wasn’t actually sure if I was going to win because I thought something might come from behind [and catch me]. I’m very honored to be here. I’m just over the moon.”

Trumps Girl, a Sam DePinto trainee who is a four-year-old daughter of Always B Miki-Wind Damage, returned $28.40 to win after winning for the third time in 29 lifetime starts.

The other drivers who participated were Christina Grubich, Leslie Joyce, Marianna Monaco, Alexandra Sarkine, Vicki Stratton, Sarah Svanstedt and Lauren Tritton.

The ladies were fired up for the chance to drive.

“This is a big moment for me,” said Sarkine. “I race on the fair circuit in Indiana. To have my second start at The Meadowlands is a pretty big deal to me.”

“I’m a third-generation horsewomen,” said Sowers. “Women are so under-represented in the industry, so it’s nice to get out there and show that we can do it on the big stage.”

“My aunt owned Standardbreds, so I started out working on her farm and I just kind of fell in love,” said Grubich. “I am so excited to be here. I think it’s awesome that The Meadowlands puts this on for us.”

Some of harness racing’s most visible ladies were at the track covering the action from every angle and location as The Big M celebrated IWD with Jessica Otten of Meadowlands TV serving as the host of the live simulcast presentation.

Otten's U.S. television presence includes many appearances over the last several years on FOX Sports’ broadcasts of some of the biggest events in the game, such as the Meadowlands Pace and Hambletonian.

Joining her on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set was Emily Ratcliff, who is the director of sponsorships and marketing partnerships at The Red Mile. In addition, she is the co-host of the Hambletonian broadcast on the CBS Sports Network and is still part of the on-air talent team at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

Jenna Otten, the TV presence from Scioto Downs who has done several FOX broadcasts with her sister, Jessica, conducted interviews from the back paddock.

Melissa Keith, the track announcer at Rideau-Carleton Raceway, travelled from her home in Canada to be a part of things and called several races during the course of the night. Keith is the only full-time female race caller in harness racing and became the first female to call a pari-mutuel race at The Meadowlands.

Finally, Debbie Little, the associate editor at Harness Racing Update, was on hand, substituting for her husband Dave on the nightly “Little’s Late Double” segment.

Jessica Hallett, an award-winning photographer who is also currently a contributor to racing news websites, was on-site capturing the night’s event with her talented pictorial eye.

The evening included sizzle videos – short promotional videos also known as demo reels, highlight reels, show reels, promo videos, pitch tapes or teasers – and interviews with the industry’s top female trainers, drivers and grooms.

The Meadowlands sends a huge thank you to the event sponsors, Clinton Tractor, Mackenzie Strange with Mackenzie Made (providing gifts for the ladies), Terry Taufner from Corporate Images (winner’s circle blanket) and Oradell Family Dental.

In addition to the IWD Pace, a $35,714 Winners-Over Pace produced yet another epic battle won by Mad Max Hanover.

 In a stretch duel reminiscent of the one that took place just seven days ago, Mad Max Hanover got passed in the lane for a second straight start by For Once Inmy Life, and for a second straight start, came back along the inside to come out on top in a thrilling duel.

Predictably, For Once Inmy Life, the 6-5 favourite, and Mad Max Hanover, the 3-2 second choice, left the gate quickly from posts six and seven, respectively, in the seven-horse field.

Jordan Stratton, driving For Once Inmy Life, wanted to race on the front end, but like last week, had to settle for a pocket trip, as after he had the lead at the quarter in :27.1, Mad Max Hanover then cleared at the three-eighths before hitting the half in :55.1.

The action heated up at three-quarters. For Once Inmy Life vacated the rail as Mad Max Hanover hit that station in 1:22.4.

“That was my game plan. Try to be the last one to the front because that’s really where he likes his job the most,” said winning driver Brett Beckwith. “It was a really game effort. I thought it was going to be a really good stretch duel and it was again. We had two horses going neck and neck the whole time.”

Just like last week’s script, For Once Inmy Life grabbed a narrow edge with an eighth of a mile to go, but again, ‘Max’ was up to the difficult task at hand.

“It was a really big effort,” said Beckwith. “Honestly, I didn’t know [if I was going to come back] because Jordan’s horse is so nice. But my horse is as gritty as they come. Mad Max loves his job.”

Nearing the wire, Mad Max Hanover came back along inside, this time recording a head win over For Once Inmy Life in 1:49.4, his second sub-1:50 win of 2025. On Feb. 22, he recorded the fastest mile of the year in the sport with a 1:48.2 clocking. Sport Secret finished third.

“Horses don’t get passed like that and fight back, it’s just not something they do,” said Beckwith. “So, for him to do it, it’s always impressive.”

After registering his fourth consecutive win, Mad Max Hanover, a six-year-old gelded son of Always B Miki-Mayhem Seelster, now has 18 wins from 73 lifetime starts. The Jake Leamon trainee, who is owned by Marvin Rounick, now has earnings of $882,920. He paid $5 to win.

Beckwith continued his scorching-hot ways. The 22-year-old pilot won five races on the card, becoming the fourth driver this year to accomplish that feat, joining Jason Bartlett, Dave Miller and Braxten Boyd. Over the last six programs, Beckwith has won 20 races and now sits atop The Big M driver standings with 37 victories. 

All-source handle totaled $3,293,373 USD. 

Racing resumes Friday, March 14 at 6:20 p.m.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)