Good form rolls on for Big M feature winner

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Donato Patriot K (Donato Hanover) showed some good recent form heading into the $18,000 high-end conditioned harness racing trotting feature at The Meadowlands Friday night, and driver Dave Miller supplied a pair of red-hot hands on a five-winner night as the duo teamed up to record an easy 2½-length win in 1:53 on a night that saw a real-feel temperature of 26 degrees.

The race did not pan out as expected, when 3-5 favorite Lexus Kody, off a win at this level 14 days ago as the 1-2 public choice, did not mind his manners. He was away slowly before going off stride approaching the half after racing in sixth, the fourth time in his last five starts that he made a break.

That left Donato Patriot K, the 7-5 second choice, as the one to beat.

“Donato” went a three-hole trip, and Miller provided perfect piloting with the 6-year-old gelded son of Donato Hanover-Baby American on a night when the front end was not the place to be.

Dejerate Hanover was the leader past the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:24 after wrestling the top away from Mon Amour, who, in search of a third straight score, hit the quarter in :27.3.

On the far turn, Outside The Fire was racing on the rim uncovered as Donato Patriot K vacated the three-hole and picked up that live tow. With about an eighth-of-a-mile to go, Miller swung the Joe Bongiorno trainee three-wide before stream rolling his way to victory lane. Outside The Fire held second with Mon Amour third.