‘NUT’ CRACKS FIELD IN BIG M FEATURE

Sunday, October 25, 2026

The lightly raced Tom Cancelliere-trained Sonofanutcracker put his high speed on display to take the Saturday night feature at The Meadowlands, a $15,000 event for high-end conditioned pacers.

Departing from the rail in a short five-horse field (there was one scratch), driver Braxten Boyd didn’t have to push the 3-year-old by Nutcracker Sweet-Rob Them Blind very much, cruising past the quarter in :28 and the half in :55.2.

American Son, the 5-2 second choice, made his way into contention after popping out of the three-hole after the half, and was up to challenge Sonofanutcracker at three-quarters, which went in 1:22.3.

But this was Sonofanutcracker’s night.

After shrugging off American Son, the John Cancelliere-owned colt sprinted his final quarter in :26.4 on the way to a lifetime-best 1:49.2 clocking. It was three-quarters-of-a-length back to second-place finisher It’s In The Stars with Resilient N third.

“The way he left the gate, I was very pleased with that,” said Boyd. “Nobody was coming at us. When (American Son) came to us, my horse swelled right up. I had a pretty good feeling we were going to be home free once we straightened up.”

Sonofanutcracker now has eight victories from just 20 lifetime starts, good for earnings of $216,114. He returned $3.20 to his backers as the 3-5 favorite.

CARRYOVER CRAZY: Friday (Oct. 30) night, the action figures to be fast and furious, as three carryovers will be offered to tempt punter’s palates.

The first race will have a carryover of $8,417 on the 10-cent Hi-5 (Pentafecta) after the combination of 5-8-7-1-4 failed to yield a winning ticket.

The Friday opener will actually offer a second carryover as the Early 20-cent Pick-5 also failed to end up with someone cashing in. Those with four correct selections collected $1,741.00. The Pick-5 carryover will be $20,892.

The third carryover of the night will come in the third race, when the 20-cent Pick-6 starts out with $2,656 in the hat. Those with four correct collected $35.22, money which will no doubt be poured in by those gunning for a big hit.

The key to the carryovers in the Pick-5 and Pick-6 came in the fourth race, when Yogi Sheridan guided Seeuinnashville A to the winner’s circle at odds of 84-1.

A LITTLE MORE: Brett Beckwith had three winners on the night to lead the driver colony. The 23-year-old pilot now has 133 victories in 2026 and is well in front of the field as he seeks a second straight Meadowlands yearly driving title. … All-source handle on the 14-race card totaled $1,914,155. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

PHOTO: Sonofanutcracker and driver Braxten Boyd won the Saturday night feature at The Meadowlands. (Credit: Lisa Photo)