Crossover used a third-place finish in the Lady Suffolk three weeks ago as her first-start-of-the-year tightener to grab an off-the-pace victory in the Friday night, May 22 trotting feature at The Meadowlands, a $27,397 conditioned event for three-year-olds with Hambletonian and Hambo Oaks dreams.

Facing five colts in the field of eight did not deter the betting public, as filly Crossover was sent to the gate as the 7-5 favourite. The daughter of Gimpanzee-Piranha Fury sat a perfect pocket trip for Dexter Dunn as Tindra Cash S (Ake Svanstedt) led at the quarter in :29 and half in :58.2.

Off those fractions, 9-5 second choice Ultimate Betrayal (Niko Karna) was up to challenge the leader and was on even terms with that foe at three-quarters in 1:26.2. Dunn vacated the pocket with Crossover to follow the attacking horse around the far turn and swung three-wide for the drive before taking over nearing the wire to go on to an easy one-length win in a lifetime-best 1:54.2. Big Boys Dont Cry (Jason Bartlett) was second with Tindra Cash S holding third.

“She’s a beautiful moving trotter,” said Dunn. “We were definitely moving [approaching three-quarters]. Niko’s horse [Ultimate Betrayal] was coming with a lot of steam. The three of us were trotting pretty well coming to three-quarters, but once I moved her over, she really moved well and I think she’s got a bright future.”

A Marcus Melander trainee, Crossover won for the third time from just nine lifetime starts for owner S R F Stable of Delray Beach, Florida. 

She returned $4.80 to win.

The same class for pacing fillies was won by the Nancy Takter-trained Fabulous Hanover in a four-across finish, lowering her mark to 1:51.2 with Scott Zeron driving the daughter of Captaintreacherous-Fashion Katie in her season's debut for owners Marvin and Lynn Katz of Toronto, Ont., and Daniel Plouffe of Bromont, Que. 

The 7-1 winner paid $17.60 to her backers. Sundownsomewhere (Joe Bongiorno) came up a head short, with On Heir (Andrew McCarthy) a neck back and Carry Back (Jason Bartlett) half a length behind.

A Champlain Stakes winner at two, Fabulous Hanover earned $229,068 in 11 stakes starts. She is eligible to the Fan Hanover Stakes coming up at Woodbine Mohawk Park next month.

Brett Beckwith, about a month away from returning to driving at The Big M after being injured in a spill last month at Saratoga, tried his hand at broadcasting as part of The Big M’s TV team and showed he’s as comfortable talking about the horses as he is driving them.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure doing the show,” said Beckwith, who conducted the post-feature race interview with Dunn. “I didn’t think I’d have this much fun doing it. I wasn’t nervous because I really enjoy talking about the sport, which is probably what makes it the least bit stressful. I would definitely do it again. Hopefully, tonight is the first of many times that I do. Until I get back driving, of course.”

The 23-year-old driver distinguished himself, selecting five winners on top, which included two exactas and one trifecta. His best price came in the fifth race when Baby Doll Jen scored and paid $13.40.

Gary DiLeo also had five on top. His followers made a big score in the third race when Hold My Tiara pulled off an upset and returned $57.20 as his value play of the night.

Joe Bongiorno, who took home Driver of the Week honours during the pre-game show, got a leg up on taking home the trophy for a second consecutive week after leading the driver colony with three walks down victory lane. Bongiorno was also top trainer with two wins.

All-source handle on the 14-race program totalled $2,539,593 USD.

Racing resumes at The Meadowlands on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. with a pair of New Jersey Sire Stakes finals as well as two divisions of the Miss Versatility sitting atop the marquee.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)