Wake Up Peter entered Saturday’s $30,000 A-2/A-1/Free For All Handicap with two wins in his last four starts. He left the Meadowlands Racetrack tonight three for his last five.

Leaving for forward position off the wings of the gate, the 5-2 second choice Wake Up Peter found a comfortable spot, fourth along the pylons, where Brett Miller showed patience through an opening quarter of :27-seconds flat. When Sante Fe Beachboy, who was pacing just ahead of Wake Up Peter pulled first over, Wake Up Peter quickly grabbed his cover and drafted off Yannick Gingras’ helmet through a :54.2 half-mile and a three-quarter clocking of 1:21.2. Miller pulled on the right line and Wake Up Peter responded and drew clear to a two length win, stopping the timer in 1:48.4 -- just one-fifth of a second off his lifetime mark. Dapper Dude was second and Handsome Henry K rallied to be third.

In a post-race interview, Miller referred to Wake Up Peter’s determination as the difference maker. “He is a very good horse, but more than that he always gives 100 per cent, every time, he gives 100 per cent.”

The victory marked the 14th time the son of Rocknroll Hanover has made it to the winner’s circle this season with earnings of $248,710 for the year. Wake Up Peter is trained by Larry Remmen for owner Bradley Grant of Milton, Ont.

In the $20,000 B-1 Pace, Doctor Butch returned dividends as the even-money favourite to score in 1:50.1. Having found trouble in each of his last four starts in the top class at The Meadowlands, Doctor Butch moved first over for Tim Tetrick, and with nothing but racetrack in front of him, the son of Art Major responded to the clear sailing, pacing strong through the stretch while holding off both Rockin Wizard and Sweet Rock to win on the class drop. Despite the first over move into strong fractions of :26.2, :54.2 and 1:23, Doctor Butch was able to sustain his rally for Linda Toscano, who earned her first training win of the meet, and owner Kenneth Jacobs.

Gold Rocks made it two in a row, scoring a powerful win in the $20,000 B-2/B-1 Handicap for three-year-olds. Electing to stay along the pylons while Winds Of Change established a quick tempo of :27.3, :55.1 and 1:22.4, Gold Rocks waited until the stretch to make his move. When Tetrick found room, he guided Gold Rocks outside of his rivals, where he stormed past them all to win in 1:50.4 for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. and owners Stephen Herrick and Bruce Soulsby.

K Lees Shakenbake rallied from far back again to win the $16,000 B-2 Pace in race four. Despite getting away last from the widest post, the son of Raycer Thad tracked a stalled outer flow while the fractions were hot and heavy up front. Warrawee Needy was wheeling off a :26.1, :53.3 and 1:20.3 clip and he fought all the way to the wire. But, he could not hold off the oncoming K Lees Shakenbake, who was a last to first winner for the second consecutive week, tripping the timer in 1:49.3 and establishing a new lifetime mark with driver Scott Zeron. The winner is trained by David M. Smith and owned by Randall Bendis and Thomas Pollack.

There will be a pair of carryovers into the Friday card at The Meadowlands. The 13th race Jackpot Super Hi-5 features a carryover of $14,924, while the fifth race Jackpot Super Hi-5 carryover stands at $2,258.

Racing resumes on Friday, December 26 with first post time at 7:15 p.m. The Meadowlands would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday season.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)