A rusty Dexter Dunn wins fresh off a four-month vacation

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – His harness racing driver claimed he had to shake off some cobwebs, but it didn’t appear that way in the Saturday night feature at The Meadowlands, a $22,500 high-end conditioned pace, as Dexter Dunn guided Mac’s Delight to victory lane in 1:51.1.

“I’m a bit rusty, but picked some good ones tonight and they did the job,” said Dunn, who took home the trophy for the Dan Patch Driver of the Year for the fifth time in six years at the conclusion of 2024, of his two-winner night in his first night back driving after a four-month vacation.

Things panned out rather well for Dunn and Mac’s Delight, who delivered for the chalk players as the 3-5 public choice.

Primary Colors blasted away from the gate to grab the lead around the first turn. Captain Crusader A was right with the leader while 5-2 second choice Southwind Gendry made his way toward the lead racing on the rim.

Mac’s Delight found a comfy spot in the four-hole as Captain Crusader A hit the quarter in :27.2.

In search of a third straight score, Southwind Gendry made the top just after the three-eighths and reached the half in a rated :56.3, but he couldn’t deal with Primary Colors, who popped out of three-hole and sprinted past Southwind Gendry in a flash as Mac’s Delight followed incredibly live cover.

Primary Colors had the lead on the far turn and was timed at three-quarters in 1:24.4, but Dunn must have loved his chances from there as the leader gave way in mid-stretch as he steered Mac’s Delight to an easy 2-length win for trainer Tom Cancelliere.

MAC’S DELIGHT REPLAY

Primary Colors held second with Surfside Beach third.

“It was a good drive to pick up,” said Dunn. “Obviously, he’s in good form and we got out of there pretty well and got a good helmet to follow around that last turn. It worked out perfect.”

Mac’s Delight registered his 17^th lifetime victory from 52 starts while upping his lifetime earnings to $269,973 for owner John Cancelliere. He paid $3.40 to win.

For complete race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands