Corntastic weekend kicked off on Friday night with a nice crowd coming out to enjoy the bounty of corn and the contests.

The Racing Under Saddle were held between races two and four with Tara Haynes holding on to win with Flowing James in 2:00 and Therese Lindgren getting up in the last jump with Take My Picture in 1:57.

A pair of Billings events opened the card, one a non-betting race won by Bob Davis with Teezer Bee in 1:57.3 and the first race of the regular card taken by Bob Krivelin and his own Current Cast in a career-best time of 1:56.1.

The card was trot-centric and both features offered square-gaiters. The top overnight class was taken by Master Of Law in a new personal-best of 1:52. The speedy gelding was making his first money start for Jimmy Takter after an imposing qualifier six days ago. Tonight’s win put Master Of Law’s career bankroll over $200,000 for owners Lindy Racing, Brittany Farms and Adam Victor & Son.

The $20,000 opening leg of the Ima Lula Series for four-year-old trotting mares was on the bill and though short in size, the six mares boast over $2 million in career earnings. Handover Belle took the top prize, trotting to a new life mark of 1:51.4 with Scott Zeron aboard. The Andover Hall mare does her best racing from off cover and Zeron had her in perfect striking position second over to chase down Mistery Woman then hold off Ma Chere Hall for the score. She was winning for the third time this season for owners Howard Taylor and John Carver. Tony Alagna is her trainer.

Racing returns on Saturday with first post at 7:15 p.m. The 13-race program features the Reynolds Stake for three-year-old trotters to be races in two divisions. Headlining the Reynolds are major Hambletonian contenders Nuncio and Trixton.

(Meadowlands Racetrack)