Soho Santorini A benefitted from a superb steer by driver Colin Kelly to take the $26,712 high-end claiming handicap pace at The Meadowlands on Saturday, Feb. 14 to complete a weekend sweep of the nightly features for Kelly and trainer Doug Dilloian Jr.

On Friday night, High Speed Swan took the $34,247 marquee dash for trotters. As for Soho Santorini A, drawing inside of some of the tougher foes in a stacked 10-horse field proved to be a big help as the eight-year-old gelded son of Sunshine Beach-Hannah Isabella A was away quickly from post three to secure a spot behind a parked-out Mamba (Joe Bongiorno), who left from post 10 to lead at the quarter in a snappy :26.4, and the pocket-sitting post-seven starter Sun Of A Show (Braxten Boyd).

They lined up behind Mamba, Sun Of A Show and Soho Santorini A to the half in :55.1, where a flow started to develop on the rim. In search of a fourth straight victory, 5-2 favourite Mamba was still on the lead at three-quarters in 1:23.4 but was dealing with pressure from Saulsbrook Raptor (Ridge Warren), who provided a live tow for the second-over Caviart Lotus (Vinny Ginsburg).

With a half-dozen horses still in the hunt when they turned for home, it was time for Kelly to shine, and the 32-year-old pilot swung Soho Santorini A, who was using Lasix for the third time, off the rail and quickly into the three path following Caviart Lotus for the sprint to the wire. ‘Santorini’ went around that foe midway down the lane and powered his way down the centre of the track to an impressive three-quarter-length score in 1:51 over 30-1 longshot Caviart Lotus. Effingham (Brad Chisholm) rallied well for third.

The win was the 14th in 73 lifetime tries for the Australian import, who made his North American debut last September. This marked Soho Santorini A's first win in the United States in 13 attempts for owners David Linker, Brian Loman and Robert Venable. He paid $8.20 to win as the 3-1 third choice in the betting.

“He was really good tonight,” said Kelly. “He was loaded in his last start (when a close-up third). Tonight, I just had to get him in play, it seems like he has one run, so when I stayed third at the rail, we got out and got behind Vinny (driving Caviart Lotus) and got there. He’s really good. I think he’s just kind of getting into a good groove.”

Joe Bongiorno had the hot hands on the 15-race card, leading the driver colony with four winners on the night. Bongiorno also took two training wins to end the evening tied with Shane Tritton, Bill MacKenzie and Andrew Harris.

There will be a pair of carryovers to entice players when racing returns on Friday night. The $1 PK 8 failed to produce a winning ticket, creating a carryover of $52,961 after a sequence that had winners' odds of 1-2, 8-5, 5-2, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1, 12-1 and 6-1. Those with five correct collected $82.20. The 20-cent Pick-6 also failed to yield a winner, creating a carryover of $4,500, after a sequence of winners' odds of 3-1, 12-1, 6-1, 6-1, 2-1 and 23-1. Those with five correct collected $500.08. The $1 PK 8 is offered on races three through 10 while the 20-cent Pick-6 can be played on races eight through 13.

All-source handle on the 15-race program totalled $2,753,693. Racing resumes Friday at 6 p.m.

(The Meadowlands)