Herecomesdajudge digs deep

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Herecomesdajudge notched his second straight win in the second leg of the Exit 16W Pop Up Series at The Meadowlands Thursday night, taking the $20,600 dash for 4-year-olds and younger on the trot in 1:53.

The 3-year-old colt by Muscle Hill-Designed To Be used his early speed to perfection, drawing alongside Swedish invader Bourbonista S, who was making her first start in the U.S., at the quarter, which went in :27.4, before ‘Dajudge’ took over.

The Tyler Miller-driven, Julie Miller-trained Herecomesdajudge then reached the half while pressured in :56.1 and three-quarters in 1:24.3, but would not have an easy time of it through the stretch.

Bourbonista S, the 4-1 second choice who sat a perfect pocket trip, came calling after vacating the rail with a sixteenth-of-a-mile to go, but came up a small head short. D’wood finished third.

HERCOMESDAJUDGE REPLAY

“He got a little jammed up in the first turn,” said Tyler. “But once he made the front, he was good. He had a good week and raced well last week.”

“I’m very happy with ‘Dajudge’”, said Julie, Tyler’s mom. “Tyler had to use him to get to the lead. Then had to fight off James [Kennedy, driving Top Gun Hanover] pulling off at the half [and putting on pressure]. He then dug in late for the victory and made the ownership group proud.”

As the 3-5 favorite, Herecomesdajudge returned $3.40 to his backers. He’s now won seven of 28 lifetime outings, good for earnings of $152,202 for owners Andy Miller Stable, T L P Stable and Mr. C D Huffman.

Dismas ($5.60 to win as the 9-5 second choice) made it two for two in the Exit 16W for 2- and 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers, which went for $17,500. The Joe Bongiorno-driven, Per Engblom-trained 3-year-old gelded son of Lazarus N-Itz Cherry Ripe N stopped the clock in 1:52.1.

Crunchalous ($16.80 to win as the 7-1 fourth choice) recorded his first lifetime win in the $17,500 Exit 16W for 2- and 3-year-old fillies on the pace. Driven by Tyler Miller and trained by Juan Cano, the 2-year-old by Captain Crunch-Scandalous Ideal completed the mile in 1:55.

A LITTLE MORE: Tyler Miller led the driver colony with three trips to the winner’s circle. … There were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6, setting up a carryover of $2,346 for Friday night. … All-source handle on the 10-race program totaled $1,180,987. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands