WHAT A THRILL! GILL WINS LADIES’ DASH AT BIG M

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- March 8, 2025 -- Splitting horses late after cutting a circuitous path through the stretch, Vicky Gill, a native of England, guided 13-1 chance Trumps Girl to victory in the International Women’s Day Mile at The Meadowlands Saturday night, a race that featured all-female drivers. The race, of course, was for conditioned pacing fillies and mares.

McKenzie Sowers had 80-1 longshot Anneliese Hanover on a speed mission from the outset, cutting out fractions of :27.4, :56.1 and 1:23.3 racing on an open lead, but the fast fractions proved too tough, setting it up for a closer.

“They were all going so fast out of the gate. I just thought, I’m not messing with these,” said Gill. “I conceded they were all going to be wide around the first bend, so I thought the sooner I got to the rail, the better.”

Gill had Trumps Girl along the inside sitting a five-hole trip as the taxing action took place in front of her. She still had plenty to do at the head of the lane, but after angling off the rail at the head of the stretch, Trumps Girl weaved her way through the lane, with the second time she split rivals being the final surge that got her past second-place finisher Oakwoodjusasnob IR (Lauren Harmon) by three-quarters-of-a-length in 1:54.3. Always In Flight (Alexandra Sarkine) closed for third.

“I got into a good position and a couple of the girls got parked going around the last bend,” said Gill, who was making her American debut. “I was still sitting there with a good handful and I had to do some weaving in the home stretch but it all paid off in the end.

“I had a lot of horse. I just needed to get through and I wasn’t actually sure if I was going to win because I thought something might come from behind [and catch me]. I’m very honored to be here. I’m just over the moon.”

Trumps Girl, a Sam DePinto trainee who is a 4-year-old daughter of Always B Miki-Wind Damage, returned $28.40 to win after winning for the third time in 29 lifetime starts.

The other drivers who participated were Christina Grubich, Leslie Joyce, Marianna Monaco, Alexandra Sarkine, Vicki Stratton, Sarah Svanstedt and Lauren Tritton.

The ladies were fired up for the chance to drive.

“This is a big moment for me,” said Sarkine. “I race on the fair circuit in Indiana. To have my second start at The Meadowlands is a pretty big deal to me.”

“I’m a third-generation horsewomen,” said Sowers. “Women are so under-represented in the industry, so it’s nice to get out there and show that we can do it on the big stage.”

“My aunt owned Standardbreds, so I started out working on her farm and I just kind of fell in love,” said Grubich. “I am so excited to be here. I think it’s awesome that The Meadowlands puts this on for us.”

THE COVERAGE: Some of harness racing’s most visible ladies were at the track covering the action from every angle and location as The Big M celebrated IWD with Jessica Otten of Meadowlands TV serving as the host of the live simulcast presentation. 

Otten is the sport’s leading national TV presence with her many appearances over the last several years on FOX Sports’ broadcasts of some of the biggest events in the game, such as the Meadowlands Pace and Hambletonian.

Joining her on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set was Emily Ratcliff, who is the director of sponsorships and marketing partnerships at The Red Mile. In addition, she is the co-host of the Hambletonian broadcast on the CBS Sports Network and is still part of the on-air talent team at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

Jenna Otten, the TV presence from Scioto Downs who has done several FOX broadcasts with her sister, Jessica, conducted interviews from the back paddock.

Melissa Keith, the track announcer at Rideau-Carleton Raceway, traveled from her home in Canada to be a part of things and called several races during the course of the night. Keith is the only full-time female race caller in harness racing.

Finally, Debbie Little, the associate editor at Harness Racing Update, was on hand, substituting for her husband Dave on the nightly “Little’s Late Double” segment.

Shooting pictures was Jessica Hallet, an award-winning photographer who is also currently a columnist at DRF Harness. She was on-site capturing the night’s event with her talented pictorial eye.

IN ADDITION: The evening included sizzle videos – short promotional videos also known as demo reels, highlight reels, show reels, promo videos, pitch tapes or teasers – and interviews with the industry’s top female trainers, drivers and grooms. 

The Meadowlands sends a huge thank you to the event sponsors, Clinton Tractor, Mackenzie Strange with Mackenzie Made (providing gifts for the ladies), Terry Taufner from Corporate Images (winner’s circle blanket) and Oradell Family Dental.