‘LINDY’ HOPS, ‘GEM’ SHINES IN BIG M’S NJSDF

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- November 15, 2025 -- Lindy Living and R Gem emerged victorious in the two $10,000 leg two splits of the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund for 2-year-olds at The Meadowlands Friday night.

The $70,000 (est.) finals are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22.

In the dash for colt and gelding trotters, Lindy Living (Walner-Lindy On Tap) left the gate quickly from post five in the five-horse field and secured the top at the quarter in a leisurely :28.3. Dexter Dunn, the five-time Dan Patch Award winning Driver of the Year, was then able to set a moderate tempo after reaching the half in :58 and three-quarters in 1:27.

At the head of the stretch, the pocket-sitting 7-2 third choice Trillion Times swerved off the rail to go after the leader, but went off stride, leaving only 2-1 second choice Who’s Eyes Blues with a shot to take down the leader, but despite closing well, that one came up three-quarters-of-a-length short as Lindy Living completed his task in 1:54.4 to pick up his first lifetime win in eight tries. Classic Pickle was third.

“It was a small field and he’s been racing pretty well,” said Dunn. “So, I put him on the front. He was a little lost down the backstretch but he’s been going some good last quarters. He’s got some ability and could develop into a nice 3-year-old.”

As the 3-5 public choice, Lindy Living, who hails from the Domenico Cecere barn, returned $3.20 to win.

R Gem displayed explosive late trot to take the division for fillies in 1:56 to register her first-ever triumph in eight tries for driver Brett Beckwith and trainer Linda Toscano.

Julie Palema, sent to the gate as the 1-5 favorite, raced in fourth and did not swing to the outside until the five-eighths after Meme Queen led the quintet past the quarter in :29.3 and half in :58.4.

With a bold, swift burst of speed, Julie Palema was up to challenge the leader at three-quarters, which was timed in 1:27, as R Gem (Propulsion-Jewels In Hock) followed that one while gapped off cover. On the way to a seemingly easy score, Julie Palema might have been a bit lonely on the point while her 2-length lead at the top of the lane dwindled throughout the stretch drive. R Gem was charging at her nearing the wire out in the center of the track.

At the finish, it was R Gem pulling off a 7-1 surprise, returning $17.60 to win. It was a neck back to Julie Palema with Southwind Florence third.

“I don’t think she was in an ideal spot,” said Beckwith. “But she trotted home super well. No complaints on my end. It looked like [Julie Palema] pulled up a little on the lead. You could see her head fluster a little bit. That obviously helped but all the credit to my filly. She had everything go against her and still trotted home pretty well. She did it all on her own and should be pretty good next week. She’s going into it pretty sharp.”

DOUBLE YOUR FUN: What’s better than a carryover? Why, a double carryover, of course. After no winning tickets were sold on the 20-cent Pick-6 for a second consecutive card, the carryover for Saturday’s races stands at $9,241.

The odds of the winning horses during the sequence were 4-1, 11-1, 2-1, 12-1, 9-5 and 2-1. Those with five correct collected $146.28.

The Pick-6 is offered on races eight through 13.

A LITTLE MORE: Two of the best young drivers in the sport were at it again, as 22-year-old Beckwith and 25-year-old Braxten Boyd each recorded three victories to lead the driver colony. … Jules Czermann, Veronica Spicer and Amanda Fine finished the night tied atop the trainer leaderboard with a pair of wins apiece. … All-source handle on the 14-race card totaled $2,230,945. … The final big night of racing for 2025 not only at The Meadowlands – but the entire sport – takes place when live action resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m. when eight stakes races for a total of $2.6 million are in the spotlight on Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championships Night. … If you can’t make it out to the track, catch the action on FOX Sports 2 (FS2) from 8-11 p.m.