Marcus Miller and Mystical Nectar had a lot left in deep stretch, but nowhere to go, until a narrow seem opened with 100 yards to go. Mystical Nectar exploded to win comfortably in 1:52.1 in the $18,000 pacing feature for mares on Friday night (March 24) at The Meadowlands.
The win is the six-year-old daughter of Charley Barley's third straight victory after a pair of nose wins at Yonkers and provided trainer Donald Billings with his first Meadowlands win in his first Big M start. Billings is a 48-year-old Pennsylvania resident who recorded his first training win in 2014.
Mystical Nectar raced on the pylons and was shuffled back to fifth turning for home in a seemingly impossible spot. Know It All (Tyler Buter) showed the field into the stretch while Our Els Dream (Bill Mann) challenged first-over. With Icommandmyspirit (Jim Marohn Jr.) looking to rally up the inside, Mystical Nectar was desperate for room.
When Our Els Dream drifted slightly, it gave Mystical Nectar the room she needed. She responded with a :27.2 final quarter to win as the 7-2 second choice in the field of seven. The 9-5 favourite, Not Before Eight, lacked her usual stretch kick and finished fifth.
Earlier in the program, the multiple stakes-placed mare Penpal made a smashing for-year-old debut, defeating a talented group of conditioned pacers in 1:51.4 with a powerful first-over trip. Penpal earned more than $200,000 last year with on-the-board finishes in several major stakes including the Mistletoe Shalee, Matron, and Glen Garnsey.
Penpal is owned by trainer and driver Pat Lachance and M&M Harness Racing.
Andy Miller and Marcus Miller each won a pair of races on the 11-race card.
Total handle was $2,410,948.
Racing resumes next Saturday. Post time is 7:15 p.m.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)