Ashley’s Husband best in Meadowlands feature

William Donovan's 6-year-old pacing gelding Ashley's Husband ($16.60) sustained a first-over grind into a :54.4 last half to take Saturday (March 26) evening's harness racing featured $16,000 top-level conditioned event at The Meadowlands.

Vinny Ginsburg wanted no part of the early pace, rating Ashley's Husband off dueling leaders Dynamic Youth (Joe Bongiorno) and Real Nice (Andy McCarthy) through a :27.1 quarter before tightening in on the backstretch as the pace slowed. After a :56.1 half, Ginsburg edged Ashley's Husband first-over, pushing Dynamic Youth to a :28.2 third quarter before wearing him down at the eighth pole. Ashley's Husband accelerated to the winning post for a 1:51 triumph, evading both Real Nice, who chased up the pegs, and the second-over Jacksrluckytoo (Jim Marohn, Jr.). Favorite Mel Mara (Scott Zeron) kept even off third-over cover, but posed no threat in the accelerating late pace, finishing fifth.

The Kyle Spagnola trainee earned his 25th career win, and his second of the year in nine tries.

Scott Zeron led all drivers with three wins on the night, teaming up with Watkins ($7.20, 1:55), Bettor Memories ($15.20, 1:52), and McArdles Lightning ($2.60, 1:51.2).

A carryover in excess of $31,000 spurred $151,096 of new money in the 50¢ Pick 5, which returned $2252.30 to correct backers. As races 9 through 12 were cancelled due to a lighting malfunction on the clubhouse turn, the Late Pick 4 paid on all tickets with Ashley's Husband in race 7, McArdles Lightning in race 8, and any horses in races 9 and 10. The 1-4-all-all late Pick 4 returns $4.75 on every 50¢ wagered.

Live racing returns to The Meadowlands on Friday, April 1, with post time at 7:15 p.m. EDT. The fifth race Jackpot High 5 carryover has grown to $12,633, while the same wager in the final race boasts $154,428 in added money.

MEADOWLANDS FORCED TO CANCEL REMAINDER OF SATURDAY PROGRAM DUE TO POWER OUTAGE

Due to a power outage that affected the track lights around the first turn and paddock area, the Meadowlands was forced to cancel the remainder of Saturday night’s racing card. Eight of the 12 scheduled races were completed before the outage.

The outage only affected lights in those areas. The rest of the facility has power and continued to operate normally.

The Meadowlands was already scheduled to be closed Sunday in observance of Easter. Daytime simulcasting will be conducted at Winners Bayonne Off-Track Wagering.

For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.

by James Witherite, Meadowlands Media Relations