SRF kicks off series Friday at Big M

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Standardbred Retirement Foundation series for 3-year-olds kicked off Friday night (March 31) at The Meadowlands, and not only did the connections of some inexperienced competitors get a feel for how good their horses may go on to be, but a handful of retired pacers and trotters also benefited in a big way as well.

The brainchild of Meadowlands’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gural, a big chunk of change went toward the care of retired standardbreds as 175 horses entered the series at $200 each. After The Big M matched that dollar for dollar, the donation to the SRF totaled $70,000.

That’s a good thing for horses no longer racing, but as far as those who are still on the track, the first of three $20,000 divisions, this one for filly pacers, went to Super Girl, a daughter of Downbytheseaside-Symphony In Motion, who stopped the clock in 1:50.3 for trainer Mark Harder.

The 5-1 third choice in the betting, Super Girl returned $12.60 while winning for the second time from seven career starts, all during 2023. It was a head back to Always B Naughty with 4-5 favorite C Is For Cookie third.

SUPER GIRL REPLAY

“She’s been racing super,” said driver Todd McCarthy of his pocket-trip winner. “They come a pretty quick back half and she did a pretty good job.”

In the second division, for trotting fillies, Bella Macchiato (Bar Hopping-Sorbet Hanover) took down 1-5 public choice Sheer Faith by a diminishing neck at the finish with a wire-to-wire score in 1:53.4 for driver Josert Fonseca. The Empress Ice was third.

Friday marked the first Big M appearance of the year for 2020 Dan Patch Trainer of the Year Nancy Takter. “It’s our first weekend of racing this year at The Meadowlands,” said Takter, “and it’s good to get everybody rolling again. (Bella Macchiato) raced super. Josert was able to get her to relax during the middle half (which was rated in :59).”

Bella Macchiato, who was making her seasonal debut, paid $11.60 as the 9-2 second choice in the betting.

BELLA MACCHIATO REPLAY

Division three, another filly pace, went to the 8-5 favorite, Anna’s Wish, a daughter of Lazarus N-Keystone I Wish, in 1:52.2.

The Christopher Freck trainee, who was making her 2023 debut, made the top while parked to the half with Tim Tetrick driving, and sailed home from there an easy 2-length winner over Always A Show Off. Ultimate Loulou was third.

Anna’s Wish, another making her first start of the year, returned $5.20 to her backers. It was a lifetime mark for Anna’s Wish, who last year sported one win in 1:54.2 and earnings of more than $41,000 last year.

ANNA’S WISH REPLAY

PICK-6 CARRYOVER: With Dribbling Bi and driver Tyler Miller rocking the tote board at odds of 47-1 in the ninth race, no winning tickets were sold on the 20-cent Pick-6. The carryover for Saturday’s eighth race will be $7,303.61. … Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by clicking here.

24 STRAIGHT: All-source betting, thanks to a 12^th-race that saw $335,312 put in play, totaled $3,116,790, keeping The Big M’s streak of surpassing the magic $3-million mark intact.

There have been 24 Friday and Saturday night programs conducted during 2023 and every one has seen wagering exceed $3 million.

During 2022, betting went past the $3-million mark 23 times during the 85-program season.

A LITTLE MORE: The 20-cent Pick-5 returned $6,209.62 after winner’s odds during the sequence were a far-from-outrageous 8-1, 5-1, 9-2, 4-1 and 8-5. … Tetrick led the driver’s colony with three winners on the night. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Dave Little, for the Meadowlands