Luke’s Bar rallies to take feature

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – As it turns out, for Luke’s Bar (Bar Hopping), it’s better to be the pursuer rather than the pursued.

In his first two 2025 starts, the Chris Ryder trainee flashed good early speed, only to get gunned down nearing the finish by Rock My Universe on both occasions. In the Friday night feature at The Meadowlands – a $15,500 high-end conditioned trot – his driver, Patrick Ryder, knew another strategy would be necessary this time around leaving from the worst post at the track.

“He leaves so well,” said the 30-year-old Patrick. “I knew I wanted to utilize that a little.”

Striking Tactful led at the quarter in :28.4 before 4-5 favorite Rocket Man Hill moved from the pocket to the front at the three-eighths. Rocket Man Hill then hit the half in :57.4 before driver Joe Bongiorno asked for a :28.2 sprint to three-quarters, where Rocket Man Hill opened up a seemingly insurmountable 3½-length lead in 1:26.1.

But Luke’s Bar was in hot pursuit.

“I wanted to try and race him from off the pace but I knew coming from last wouldn’t work [from post 10],” said Patrick.

The 10-hole start saw Luke’s Bar very wide into the first turn, before Patrick wedged his way into the four-hole. At the half, Luke’s Bar was out and steadily gaining while first-over, but still had work to do from second when they turned for home.

In deep stretch, Rocket Man Hill had had enough, and weakened nearing the wire in his first pari-mutuel outing since last September, allowing Luke’s Bar to come and grab a three-quarter-length win in 1:55.2, a lifetime best for the 5-year-old gelded son of Bar Hopping-Lukes Sophie. Rocket Man Hill finished second with Industrialists third.

LUKE”S BAR REPLAY

“I was thrilled with the way it worked out,” said Patrick. “I was lucky to get a spot on the turn. It allowed me to pull him first up and get a nice run through the stretch.”

Luke’s Bar returned $12.80 to win as the 5-1 third choice in the wagering. He’s now three-for-10 lifetime for owner Anthony Timmins.

A LITTLE MORE: Brett Beckwith guided four winners on the card to lead the driver colony. The 22-year-old pilot is currently third in the Big M standings with 21 victories. … The 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 remains a great play. After a sequence that saw winner’s odds of 2-1, 4-5, 8-5, 5-1, 7-2, 1-5 and 2-1, players with winning tickets were rewarded with a payout of $2,421.50. … All-source handle on the 14-race card totaled $2,682,791. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands