‘SANTORINI’ SWERVES AND SCORES AT BIG M
Soho Santorini A benefited from a superb steer by driver Colin Kelly to take the $19,000 high-end claiming handicap pace at The Meadowlands Saturday night to complete a weekend sweep of the nightly features for Kelly and trainer Doug Dilloian Jr ...
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- February 14, 2026 -- Soho Santorini A benefited from a superb steer by driver Colin Kelly to take the $19,000 high-end claiming handicap pace at The Meadowlands Saturday night to complete a weekend sweep of the nightly features for Kelly and trainer Doug Dilloian Jr.
Friday night, High Speed Swan took the $25,000 marquee dash for trotters.
As for Soho Santorini A, drawing inside of some of the tougher foes in a stacked 10-horse field proved to be a big help as the 8-year-old gelded son of Sunshine Beach-Hannah Isabella A was away quickly from post three to secure a spot behind a parked-out Mamba (post 10), who had the lead at the quarter in a snappy :26.4, and the pocket-sitting Sun Of A Show (post seven).
They lined up Mamba-Sun Of A Show-Soho Santorini A past the half in :55.1 as a flow started to develop on the rim.
In search of a fourth straight victory, 5-2 favorite Mamba was still on the lead at three-quarters in 1:23.4, but was dealing with pressure from Saulsbrook Raptor, who provided a live tow for the second-over Caviart Lotus.
With a half-dozen horses still in the hunt when they turned for home, it was time for Kelly to shine, and the 32-year-old pilot swung Soho Santorini A, who was using Lasix for the third time, off the rail and quickly into the three path following Caviart Lotus for the sprint to the wire. ‘Soho’ went around that foe midway down the lane and powered his way down the center of the track to an impressive three-quarter-length score over 30-1 long shot Caviart Lotus. Effingham rallied well for third.
The win was the 14th in 73 lifetime tries for the Australian import, who made his North American debut last September. This marked his first win in the States in 13 attempts. He is owned by David Linker, Brian Loman and Robert Venable, and paid $8.20 to win as the 3-1 third choice in the betting.
“He was really good tonight,” said Kelly. “He was loaded in his last start (when a close-up third). Tonight, I just had to get him in play, it seems like he has one run, so when I stayed third at the rail, we got out and got behind Vinny (Ginsburg, driving Caviart Lotus) and got there. He’s really good. I think he’s just kind of getting into a good groove.”
CARRYOVER REPORT: There will be a pair of carryovers to entice players when racing returns Friday night.
The $1 PK 8 failed to produce a winning ticket, creating a carryover of $52,961 after a sequence that saw winner’s odds of 1-2, 8-5, 5-2, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1, 12-1 and 6-1. Those with five correct collected $82.20.
The 20-cent Pick-6 also failed to yield a winner, creating a carryover of $4,500, after a sequence that saw winner’s odds of 3-1, 12-1, 6-1, 6-1, 2-1 and 23-1. Those with five correct collected $500.08.
The $1 PK 8 is offered on races three through 10 while the 20-cent Pick-6 can be played on races eight through 13.
Free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands program are available at The Big M’s website, playmeadowlands.com.
A LITTLE MORE: Joe Bongiorno had hot hands, leading the driver colony with four winners on the night. Bongiorno-trained horses also did well, winning twice to end the evening tied with Shane Tritton, Bill MacKenzie and Andrew Harris atop the conditioner leaderboard. … All-source handle on the 15-race program totaled $2,753,693. … Racing resumes Friday at 6 p.m.
