A star-laden card of qualifying races that featured a pair of O’Brien Award winners were conducted on a pleasant Friday morning (March 7) at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

In the third-race trot, the Mark Ford-trained and David Miller-driven Daylon Magician converted a pocket trip to score a one and a half-length victory in 1:53.2. The Bruce Saunders-trained and Tim Tetrick-driven Sweet Justice cut the fractions in :28.4, :56 and 1:24.2 and finished second. Sevruga (trained by Julie Miller and driven by Andy Miller) finished third in what was his first appearance since October’s Breeders Crown.

Race 4 was won in a 1:53.2 romp by the Ron Burke-trained Charisma Hanover, who, in her initial foray at age four, sailed along on an open lead through even fractions for driver Yannick Gingras. Left in her wake was 2013 Breeders Crown winner Shelliscape, who closed willingly into the :27.4 final quarter in what was her second qualifier.

Summertime Lea is another four-year-old mare that was making her 2014 debut for the Ron Burke stable, and she was impressive. ‘Lea’ cut the mile and finished with something in reserve for driver Andy Miller in 1:52.3. Pan Luis Obispo was a comfortable second, and O’Brien Award winner Androvette was an even third, looking much like she does every spring, racing herself to an edge in what was her second qualifier.

Julie Miller took the lines on The Lunch Pail, a house horse owned by Andy, and she made it count, steering the lightly-raced sophomore to a 1:55.3 win under minimal encouragement.

The remarkable Foiled Again made his 2014 bow for the Burke barn in the seventh race and wowed the tiny legion of qualifier faithful with his determination...again. Settled third for Gingras through slow fractions, he tipped out at the top of the final turn and ran down the formidable Bettors Edge. He then held off the late bid of Word Power in a :26.1 closing panel to record the 1:53.1 victory.

Sweet Lou is back as well, and strolled through easy fractions before closing out the 1:52.1 mile with a :26.4 final quarter under no urging from driver Matt Kakaley. Hillbilly Hanover poked his head out of the pocket, was rebuffed, and accepted his fate willingly to finish second. Mach It So was a good third.

To view the harness racing results for the Friday qualifying session at the Meadowlands, click the following link:

• Friday Results – Meadowlands Racetrack (Qualifiers).

(With files from the Meadowlands)