It had been a long time between drinks for the Erv Miller-trained Trolley, but a perfect pocket trip was just the right tonic to get him to the winner’s circle for the first time since September 10 of last year when he took the $16,000 high-range conditioned trotting feature Friday night at the Meadowlands.
Making only his second start of the year, Trolley was asked for early speed from driver Marcus Miller and got it, ending up in the two-hole behind even-money choice Lindy The Great. Those two raced that way from the quarter as Fashionwoodchopper struggled first-over from the get-go. Mayfair Johnny B – who was seeking his fourth straight win – was another who couldn’t hack it while racing uncovered past the half and three-quarters.
Through the stretch, Lindy The Great could not finish the job, as Trolley popped out of the pocket in mid-stretch and rolled by for a two-length win in 1:52.2. Zlatan finished third.
A five-year-old son of Donato Hanover-Lakeside Bride, Trolley returned $11.80 as the co-third choice in the betting. He’s now won nine-of-22 lifetime outings for owners Paymaq Racing, Leland Mathias, Greg Gillis and Louis Willinger.
MAGNUM MIKE MAGNIFICENT: Magnum Mike won his third straight in the fifth race claiming handicap. He was claimed for $10,000 for the third time this month after scoring as the 4-5 favourite and now resides in the Chris Marino barn.
A LITTLE MORE: One lucky player wagering into the Ohio hub raked the pot in the ninth-race 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five, correctly wagering on the winning combination of 4-7-3-9-2. The payoff was $11,674. … The 50-cent Pick-4 pool was a rock-solid $91,452, falling just $534 short of the meet high, which was established on November 3. … All-source wagering on the 11-race card totaled $2,034,923. … Racing resumes Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. with the biggest card of the fall meeting. Eight stakes races – four TVG finals and the Fall Final Four for two-year-olds – top a spectacular 13-race program. The top two contenders for Horse of the Year - McWicked (TVG Pace) and Shartin N (TVG Mare Pace) - are the top two names on the marquee. In addition, the great Foiled Again will be in race three and then meet and greet his fans in the ‘Backyard’ after the race. There is also a Foiled Again poster giveaway.
(Meadowlands)