FARAH TRIO IT OVERCOMES POST 10 IN BIG M FEATURE
Farah Trio IT started 2026 with four wins in as many starts for trainer Per Engblom, but since that super start, the 5-year-old mare has had some trouble of late, breaking stride in two of her next three ...
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- March 20, 2026 -- Farah Trio IT started 2026 with four wins in as many starts for trainer Per Engblom, but since that super start, the 5-year-old mare has had some trouble of late, breaking stride in two of her next three.
The all-or-nothing Nad Al Sheba-Silvia Trio product minded her manners Friday night at The Meadowlands, and upped her seasonal stats to six wins in eight tries after taking the featured mid-range conditioned trot.
“She’s a bit of a tricky mare. You have to keep her at her task,” said winning driver Brett Beckwith, before adding, “every time she trots, she wins.”
Despite drawing the 10-hole in the 10-horse field, Farah Trio IT took plenty of action, being sent to the gate as the 4-1 third choice. Beckwith had her on the go early while being as cautious as he could, making the lead while parked at the quarter in :28.3 before yielding to 6-5 favorite Call Option, who took the field past the half in :58 and three-quarters in 1:26.3.
But all wasn’t perfect for the public choice.
“Joe’s (Bongiorno, driving Call Option) horse looked a little rank and that helped me in the stretch,” said Beckwith.
Farah Trio IT slid out of the pocket as they turned for home and had the length of the lane to gun down the leader, and with a little more than a sixteenth-of-a-mile to go, Call Option went off stride, making things easier for the eventual winner, who appeared on her way to victory nonetheless. 7-2 second choice Rocket Man Hill rallied well for second – missing by a neck – with Kazio DK placed third, ahead of Call Option, who was disqualified from third to ninth.
That’s the first time she was on a helmet and I figured she would give a good late kick,” said Beckwith. “She looks like she’s talented, and it doesn’t hurt to drive for Per.”
Farah Trio IT now has 11 wins in 39 career tries for owners Evans Nation, Engblom Farm LLC and Hickory Hollow Stables. The time for the mile was 1:54.2. She paid $10.80 to win.
PELLING PROTÉGÉ PROLIFIC: Miss Jum Jabber, a 3-year-old filly by Bettor’s Wish-Teacherous Reign who was driven by Patrick Ryder, impressed in a non-winners of two on the pace for females, stopping the clock in an eye-catching 1:51.1 in just her second career start.
“She’s a lovely filly. She’s always been great gaited, but, honestly, she didn’t really give an indication that she would step out and be so competitive,” said winning trainer Brett Pelling. “She is (Sire Stakes) dual eligible, so after a leg or two in the Weiss at Pocono, I’ll make a call as to her future.”
The 5-2 second choice went a four-hole trip to the half, then came first-over to win by a length after pacing her final quarter in :26.2.
STERLING STURMAN: Making his first appearance of the year on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set, Brett Sturman, the columnist and handicapper from Harness Racing Update, treated his following to a big night at the windows.
Sturman had five on top, with three of them paying 4-1 or better. His winners included Maximum Exposure ($2.80 to win) in the second race; Skateboard Chic ($10.00, $35 exacta, $118.80 trifecta) in the third; Pink Lumiere ($5.40, $22.20 pick three) in the fourth; Yer So Bad ($11) in the fifth; and Drop The Mic ($17.80) in the 12th.
Track announcer Ken Warkentin also picked five winners, including Duck Into The Nite ($14.80, $53.80 exacta) in the eighth.
CARRYOVER REPORT: The $1 PK 8 went unhit for a 10th consecutive offering, pushing the carryover to six figures, at $100,659.
Winner’s odds for the sequence were 4-1, 8-5, 9-2, 5-2, 5-1, 6-1, 9-2 and 4-1. Those with six correct collected $971.00.
The 20-cent Pick-6 also failed to yield a winning ticket. The sequence saw winner’s odds of 6-1, 9-2, 4-1, 1-1, 9-1 and 8-5. Those with five correct cashed in for $67.34. The carryover is $4,444.
The $1 PK 8 is offered nightly on races three through 10 while the 20-cent Pick-6 is available on dashes eight through 13.
A LITTLE MORE: Fresh off being named the track’s Driver of the Week for winning six races over the weekend of March 13-14, Joe Bongiorno established himself as the odds-on favorite to win the award again after guiding five horses to victory lane. … All-source handle on the 14-race card totaled $2,326,268. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6 p.m.
