Friday kicks off another weekend of racing at the Meadowlands Racetrack, and the first of 14 races is slated to kick off at 6:35 p.m.
With trotters dominating the Friday offering – nine trots to five pacing races – there are several interesting fields for those so inclined to reflect, dissect and project the possibilities in the pursuit of pari-mutuel rewards.
The featured $25,000 Open Handicap Trot fields nine – seven pari-mutuel interests – including last week’s upset winner, Can Do.
The seven-year old gelded son of Cantab Hall had modest success in some minor mid-west stakes as youngster, but really blossomed at age four in Delaware overnight competition. Can Do joined the Jody Reidel stable last September when the noted horsewoman plucked him from a $30,000 claimer at Yonkers Raceway. She reaped immediate rewards when Can Do paid for himself in a month on the strength of three wins against the ‘forty claimers.’
When Reidel brought him across the river during the Christmas break at Yonkers, Can Do clicked with the mile-track racing at the Meadowlands; and, when paired with driver Anthony Napolitano, proved competitive against the best trotters on the grounds. Last week, Napolitano used Can Do’s gate speed to secure early position and then fanned out and went by the early leaders in the stretch to post the upset in a career best 1:53.1.
Can Do will start from Post 8 this week and has been listed at 4-1 on the morning line.
The standard guarantees are in place for Friday’s horizontal wagers: $30,000 in the Pick 5 beginning in Race 3; $25,000 in the Early Pick 4 (Races 5-8), and $50,000 in the Late Pick 4 (Races 9-12). The Hi-5 Jackpot is set for Races 7 and 14, with the last race Jackpot now up to $62,725.
First-race post time on Friday will be 6:35 p.m.
(With files from the Meadowlands)