Vinny Ginsburg and Dexter Dunn had the hot hands Friday night at the Meadowlands, as each drove three winners on the 13-race card.
Ginsburg, who entered the night tied for 10th in the Big M driver standings, got his evening going with Hammer Creek in the second race conditioned trot, going went wire to wire in 1:58.1 and returning $8.20 as the second choice in the betting.
Hammer Time was Ginsburg’s second winner of the night in the fourth race conditioned trot, roaring past the field after going a third-over trip. He returned $4.00 to win as the second choice in the wagering after hitting the wire in 1:55.
Miss Ruby completed Ginsburg’s three-bagger in the ninth race conditioned trot, gunning down 3-5 favourite Miami by skimming the cones to grab the win in 1:54.4. As the second choice in the wagering, Miss Ruby returned $9.80 to her backers.
Dunn, who started the night second in the standings, scored with favourite Dawson Springs ($6.00) in the first race conditioned trot in 1:55.3.
He followed that up with victories behind Followthewind N ($9.20 as the third choice, 1:52.4) in the 10th race fillies and mares conditioned pace before completing his big night guiding Godspell Hall to an amazing victory in the 12thrace conditioned trot.
Racing in a fourth-over flow while last at three-quarters, Godspell Hall exploded by the field to score in 1:56.4 and return $8.60 to win as the third choice.
Tag Up And Go won the $18,000 feature for conditioned trotters in the seventh race.
Marcus Miller piloted the Patti Harmon trainee to victory in 1:53.3 after going a third-over trip and paid $12.20 to win as the third choice in the betting. Rock Of Cashel, the 6-5 public choice, finished third while bidding for his third straight win.
Friday marked the first time the Big M has raced with increased purses since New Jersey lawmakers approved purse-subsidy legislation, and the action at the claiming box was hot and heavy as seven horses left at evening’s end with new connections.
One lucky player who lasted eight legs in the 20-Cent Survivor Pick-10 had the wager’s lone winning ticket and walked away with $12,753. The 50-Cent Pick-4 pool topped six figures, as $100,022 in action was taken.
(Meadowlands)