Simply Perfect shrugs off tough track to score in lifetime best

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Overcoming a track that was extremely unfriendly to horses racing on the front end, Simply Perfect (Captaintreacherous) made it to the lead while parked out at the half in :55.2 before going on to an easy harness racing score in the featured $12,500 mid-range conditioned pacing feature for fillies and mares at The Meadowlands Friday night.

The 3-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous-Stacia Hanover opened up some separation on the field at three-quarters, which was timed in 1:23.2, and was an easy winner from there, hitting the wire 1¼ lengths in front of 6-5 favorite Take Your Pick. TH Summer Lovin was third. The time for the mile was 1:50.4, a lifetime best.

“It was my first time driving her,” said winning driver Mark Herschberger. “She really did keep going first up [to the half] and it looked like we could get there pretty easy.”

Sent to the gate as the 5-1 third choice in the eight-horse field, Simply Perfect returned $13.80 to her backers after winning for the fifth time in 23 career outings to lift her earnings to just a hair below $150,000.

SIMPLY PERFECT REPLAY

For winning trainer Ron Burke, it was business as usual. As reported Friday by United States Trotting Association Media Relations Manager Ken Weingartner, Burke ended the race day Thursday with seasonal earnings of $28.52 million, an all-time record. Not surprisingly, Burke held the mark of $28.41 million, which he established in 2014.

Burke, who is a sure thing to be named Dan Patch Trainer of the Year, campaigned some of harness racing’s biggest stars during 2025, including Horse of the Year candidate Louprint, Trotter of the Year hopeful Lexus Kody, along with standouts Loua Dipa and Rodeo Drive Deo.

SIZZLIN’ STURMAN: Brett Sturman had a huge night while making his second appearance as a co-host on the Big M’s live simulcast presentation, giving out five winners on the program, which included some healthy payouts.

Sturman gave out American Power ($5.20 to win) in the third race; Alta Blues N ($17, $75.40 exacta) in the seventh; and Who Said I Can’t ($4) in the 10^th.

The Harness Racing Update columnist then treated his following to some big tickets on the final two races, selecting Hold My Tiara ($23.40) in the 12^th dash and Bettorseetheshow ($5.40) in the 13^th for an ice-cold late double that returned $107.20.

A LITTLE MORE: There were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a carryover of $2,397 for Saturday’s program. The Pick-6 will be offered on races seven through 12. … Get free program pages for every race of every Meadowlands card at playmeadowlands.com. … Herschberger and Braxten Boyd led the driver colony with a pair of wins apiece. … All-source handle on the 13-race program totaled $2,171,119. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands