EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Lindy Living (Walter) and R Avg (Propulsion) emerged victorious in the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund’s two $10,000-leg two splits for 2-year-olds Friday evening at The Meadowlands.
The $70,000 (estimated) finals are scheduled for Saturday, November 22.
In the sprint for colts and gelding trotters, Lindy Living (Walner-Lindy On Tap) quickly left the gate from post five in the five-horse field and secured the top in the quarter in a relaxed time: 28.3. Dexter Dunn, the five-time Dan Patch Award-winning Driver of the Year, was then able to set a moderate pace after reaching half in:58 and three-quarters in 1:27.
Early in the stretch, 7-2 third choice Trillion Times swerved off the rail to go after the leader but went off the track, leaving only 2-1 second choice Who’s Eyes Blues with a shot to take down the leader. But despite a good finish, it fell three-quarters of a length short as Lindy Living completed the task in 1:54.4 to take his first lifetime victory in eight attempts. Classic Pickle came third.
LINDY LIVE REPEAT
“It was a small field and he raced pretty well,” Dunn said. “So I put him in the front. He was a bit lost on the back, but he has done well in the last quarters. He has some scope and could develop into a nice three-year-old.”
As a public choice 3-5, Lindy Living, from Domenico Cecere’s barn, returned $3.20 to win.
R Gem showed an explosive late trot to take the fillies division in 1:56, recording her first ever victory in eight attempts for driver Brett Beckwith and trainer Linda Toscano.
Julie Palema, sent to the gate as 1-5 favorite, ran fourth and only swung out in the five-eighths after Meme Queen led the quintet past the quarter in:29.3 and the half in:58.4.
With a bold, quick burst of speed, Julie Palema was ready to challenge the leader at three-quarters, which was timed in 1:27, with R Gem (Propulsion-Jewels In Hock) following suit while standing outside cover. On her way to a seemingly easy score, Julie Palema was perhaps a little lonely at this point as her two-length lead at the top of the track narrowed during the long drive. R Gem charged towards her and approached the wire in the middle of the track.
R GEM REPEAT
At the finish it was R Gem who pulled off a 7-1 upset, taking $17.60 to win. It was a neck back for Julie Palema with Southwind Florence in third.
“I don’t think she was in an ideal place,” Beckwith said. “But she trotted home very well. No complaints from me. It seemed like it [Julie Palema] pulled the lead a bit. You could see her head shaking a little. That obviously helped, but credit to my filly. She had everything going against her and still trotted home quite well. She did it all on her own and should be pretty good next week. She goes into it quite sharply.”
DOUBLE YOUR FUN: What’s better than a transfer? Well, a double transfer of course. After no winning tickets were sold on the 20-cent Pick-6 for the second year in a row, the carryover for Saturday’s races is $9,241.
The odds of the winning horses during the series were 4-1, 11-1, 2-1, 12-1, 9-5 and 2-1. Those with five good points collected $146.28.
The Pick-6 will be offered at races eight through thirteen.
A LITTLE MORE: Two of the best young drivers in the sport were back at it as 22-year-old Beckwith and 25-year-old Braxten Boyd each recorded three wins to lead the driver colony. … Jules Czermann, Veronica Spicer and Amanda Fine finished the evening tied at the top of the trainer rankings with a pair of wins each. … All sources on the 14-race map totaled $2,230,945. … The last big night of racing for 2025, not just at The Meadowlands – but the entire sport – will take place when live action resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m., when eight stakes races totaling $2.6 million will take the spotlight during Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night. … If you can’t make it to the track, catch the action on FOX Sports 2 (FS2) from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
For full race results, click here: American trotting results
Through Dave Kleinfor The Meadowlands
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