Driver Joe Bongiorno waited patiently for his opportunity, and when it came, he unleashed B Yoyo, who rallied furiously through the stretch to take the Friday night (May 12) feature at The Meadowlands, a $20,000 conditioned event for trotters.
The seven-year-old gelded son of Striking Sahbra, who won this race a week ago as the even-money favourite, was away well and sat in the three-hole from the quarter to the stretch. The conditions of the race may have been the same as a week ago, but the task was far tougher this time around with the field including the likes of Opulent Yankee, who was off a dominant score at Yonkers, and 2016 Townsend Ackerman winner Dayson, who was sent to the gate as the 3-5 public choice.
After an energetic opening quarter of :27.3, Opulent Yankee yielded the front to Dayson, who seemingly had everything under control after rating the half in :56.2 and three-quarters in 1:25.3. But at crunch time, he came up empty.
Enter B Yoyo, this time a 10-1 outsider who was sitting in a tough spot before swerving off the rail with three-sixteenths to go and out into the five path. He then charged home in a final quarter of :26.2 to win by a widening two lengths. Broadway Donna, the Breeders Crown three-year-old filly champion from a year ago, was second in her seasonal debut. Opulent Yankee was third with Dayson fourth.
“This horse is razor sharp and loves the Meadowlands,” said Richard Johnson, trainer of B Yoyo. “He has a shot to be as good [as Dayson and Opulent Yankee]. He is a very versatile horse.”
B Yoyo returned $22.80 to his backers and upped his seasonal stats to five wins in 16 starts after completing the mile in 1:52.3.
In other trotting action, 2016 Peter Haughton champion What The Hill won his sophomore debut in 1:55.3 by half a length over Bills Man and Deacon Tony. David Miller drove the Muscle Hill colt for trainer Ron Burke.
Amateur reinsman David Glasser and trotter Winwood Scout held off the closing favourites, Pine Tab and Hannah Miller, to win a C.K.G. Billings event early on the card in 1:56 flat. Bob Hechkoff and Keystone Thomas were a close third.
“I won by one quarter of a nose!” laughed Glasser, who is the president of a litigation support company.
“It was a great race and it felt great to win. This was my fourth Meadowlands win, with the other the last May," noted Glasser. "Mother's Day has been good to me. I won my first-ever last Mother's Day and this one just before Mother's Day.”
A reminder to Meadowlands fans, the second annual Spring Beer Fest has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 10. The rainy weather expected to hit the Big M caused the postponement of the event, which had been slated for Saturday, May 13.
All-source wagering totaled $2,449,987.
Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack & C.K.G. Billings)