Lindys Tru Grit, who just one month ago was struggling to stay trotting at the C-1 level, scored his third consecutive victory since the addition of hopples Friday night at The Meadowlands, defeating some of the best trotters on the grounds, winning the Free For All Handicap in a lifetime-best 1:52.1.

Sent off as the 2-1 favourite, Lindys Tru Grit left for position from his inside post and was allowed to sit the pocket behind the pacesetting Odds On Amethyst, who cut the mile through fractions of :27.3, :55.2 and 1:23.1. The outer flow never developed as Appomattox attempted to rally first over, but never got close to the leaders and Odds On Amethyst was able to lead the field all the way into the stretch. That enabled Lindys Tru Grit to pull the pocket nearing the top of the stretch, then rallied to the outside of Odds On Amethyst, who he wore down coming down to the wire and scored the victory with Andy Miller in the bike. Upfront Billy maintained his position in third throughout the mile.

Lindys Tru Grit is trained by Julie Miller for Lindy Racing Stable and Robert Rudolph.

Witch Dali did it again in the first round of the Worldly Beauty series. Her trainer Tony Alagna said in a paddock interview with Meadowlands television personality Justin Horowitz that Witch Dali “spent a lot of the last year practicing for her return to the races.” Practice makes perfect, literally. Witch Dali has not lost since returning from her year layoff, sporting a perfect five-for-five record since her first start back on December 5. After a sweep of the Niagara Series at Woodbine Racetrack, she was a dominant winner at The Meadowlands Friday night and looks like the horse to beat in the Worldly Beauty following her 1:51.1 lifetime-best performance.

Sent right to the lead by Tim Tetrick, 1-5 prohibitive favourite Witch Dali established a strong pace, setting fractions of :27.1, :55.3 and 1:23.1 before turning for home and pulling away to an impressive 1:51.1 score over longshot Frame Worthy, who chased from the two-hole throughout the mile. Safe From Terror completed the trifecta.

Witch Dali is owned by Alagna Racing LLC and Bradley Grant of Milton, Ont.

The favourite trend continued in the second division of the Worldly Beauty with Donttellruss, sent off as the overwhelming 2-5 choice and scoring the victory in a lifetime-best 1:51.2.

Yannick Gingras elected to keep the favourite mid-pack while the leaders took turns battling for the front end through fractions of :27.2 and :55.4. It was at that point that Donttellruss made her move for the lead going into the far turn and she had little trouble clearing the front around the turn. Taking the field past three-quarters in 1:24, Donttellruss was feeling pressure from Impatience, who she fought off before fending off the challenge of Empress Deo through the lane, while drawing clear to win decisively.

Donttellruss is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Lawrence Karr and Frank Baladchino.

Both Jackpot Super Hi-5 wagers continued to carryover. The fifth race carryover now stands at $14,812.80 while the 13th race carryover is now $34,996.

Total handle for the Friday program was $2,901,128.

Post time for the Saturday program, featuring the first round of the Escort Series is set for 7:15 p.m.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)