While the live racing this weekend at the Meadowlands Racetrack will feature the $1.2-million finals of the TVG Championship Series on Saturday night, Friday's card is an amalgamation of overnight events composed largely of trotters and pacing mares.
A solid field of nine distaff pacers will go forth for a purse of $17,500 in Race 7. From her assigned outside post, Not Before Eight must be considered a prime contender for young driver Kyle Husted. He picked up the drive for top trainer Steve Elliott, a grand opportunity for the 25-year-old midwesterner to cultivate a relationship that may yield future benefits.
Not Before Eight has a powerful closing kick, as evidenced by the :26.2 end to her 1:49.3 career best taken over the East Rutherford, NJ oval on Hambletonian eve. Chances are any path to a victory on Friday will be fashioned from well back early on, this being her return after a brief freshening. Ernest Hartman of Toledo, Ohio owns the four-year-old Bettors Delight mare.
The lead promotion on Friday is the recognition of servicemen with a 50 per cent discount on the Pink buffet for all veterans.
As per usual, free program pages are available for the $50,000 Guaranteed Late Pick-4 wager.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)