Winter Action Continues at Meadowlands

On Friday, February 3, the Meadowlands featured the opening legs of the $72,000 Exit 16W and $70,000 Cape & Cutter.

Daryl Bier trained Higher And Higher took the first “Cutter” at the light of the wire in 1:52.1. The five-year-old mare did not race from the front as she did last week. She picked up cover from Modern Connection by the half. Oceans Motion got third over cover as Symphony In Motion controlled the pace. Modern Connection faltered into the stretch and Higher And Higher fanned three wide, giving Oceans Motion cover to come with her. Higher And Higher drifted inside after getting passed Modern Connection and John Campbell kicked into gear with Oceans Motion in the final 1/16. Daryl Bier had enough in his horse to hold off Oceans Motion. Save My Shark came up the pylons to finish third and Symphony In Motion faded fourth. Higher And Higher returned $3.60 to win.

The Burke Brigade sent out Ginger And Fred who won in 1:50.4. She made a backstretch brush from fifth and took the field around the rest of the oval. The only challenge came from stable mate Go On Bb, who couldn’t keep up with her around the far turn. Late pace came in the stretch from Royal Cee Cee N after she was shuffled back. She split horses and closed to finish second to Ginger And Fred. Go On Bb was a 25-1 third and Mud Pie Hanover was fourth at 9-1. Ginger And Fred returned $4 to win.

The first Exit 16W went to Whogoesfirst, returning $18.40. He came from far back and nailed Cam B Zipper at the wire. Nathan Feelsgood fanned three wide in the lane, but did not have enough to catch Whogoesfirst. Bolero Andrew faltered to fourth.

The second division was won by Fearless Diablo. He was second over into the turn and fanned three wide to chase down the leader Rhombus. Bettor’s Reward kept up with him down the stretch to finish second at 25-1. Sapphire City was shuffled back and split horses to finish third. Home Again Dragon was fourth. Fearless Diablo returned $20.80 to win.

The third division went to Sonic Dancer. He made a three wide move around the far turn as Risk Management gave way. Tyler Hanover was at the inside into the stretch. Sonic Dancer lead the way and Risk Management came three wide to chase. Upfront Ellijay Ed came from the backfield with Fall Bliss. Sonic Dancer and Risk Management dueled to the wire and Sonic Dancer was victorious. Risk Management was second, Upfront Ellijay Ed was third and Fall Bliss finished fourth. Sonic Dancer returned $5.80 to win.

The final division was the featured one, with the matchup of the Complex winner and Clyde Hirt winner. Itrustyou defeated Special T Rocks in a thrilling stretch battle. Special T Rocks was first over around the far turn, dueling with Itrustyou. Stonebridge Rocket was behind them into the stretch. Itrustyou lead the way and Special T Rocks did not have enough to catch him. Itrustyou returned $3.20 to win.