LYONS STEEL SHOCKS IN BIG M FEATURE

Sunday, September 14, 2025

Jordan Stratton gave Lyons Steel an aggressive drive and that proved to be the difference Saturday night at The Meadowlands, as the Jose Ramos trainee pulled off a 20-1 surprise in the featured $17,500 high-end conditioned pace.

Departing from post eight in the 10-horse field, Stratton had Lyons Steel on the go at the start before settling into a two-hole behind leader Rhyds Superfly GB, who had the lead at the quarter in :26.4.

Its Saturday Night, the 5-2 favorite, was put in play at this point, and rolled to the top, leading at the half in :55.3. On the far turn, Rhyds Superfly GB vacated the pocket, forcing Lyons Steel to go three-wide as they went past three-quarters in 1:24.1.

With a quick burst of speed, Lyons Steel took over the lead just after the field straightened up in the stretch, and the 10-year-old gelded son of Rock N Roll Heaven-Lyons Luck completed his upset mission in 1:50.1. It was three-quarters-of-a-length back to Its Saturday Night second. Camara Moment finished third.

“He leaves the gate so fast and he got good position,” said Stratton. “He flew home in :26 flat [actually :25.4]. He’s been a really good horse his whole life.”

Owned by BD Racing, Lyons Steel recorded his 61^st career win from 264 starts, good for earnings of $869,696. He paid $43.20 to win as the eighth choice in the wagering.

ANOTHER RECORD FOR LAUREN: It was August 23 when Lauren Tritton became the first female driver in Meadowlands history to win three races on a card.

Not satisfied with that, Tritton won four times on September 6 to best her own mark.

With the single-card dash-win record now secure, Tritton broke into the record books again Saturday in another way.

Her victory in 1:49.2 with Magnifico Hanover in the seventh race made Tritton the fastest winning female driver in Big M history. The record she broke was established on May 3, 2014, when Stacy Chiodo guided Mighty Young Joe to victory lane in 1:49.3.

SEE YOU IN OCTOBER: Harness racing at The Meadowlands will now take a four-week break while Monmouth Park conducts a Thoroughbred turf meeting at the mile oval. The nine turf programs are scheduled for Sept. 19, 20, 26, 27; Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11 and 17. Post time is 7 p.m.

Harness racing returns on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 6:20 p.m.

A LITTLE MORE: Mark Herschberger and Brett Beckwith led the driver colony with three winners apiece. Beckwith now has 100 wins at The Big M this year, which has him at the top of the standings. … Jake Leamon paced the trainers with two jaunts down victory lane. … All-source handle on the 14-race program totaled $2,246,217.

PHOTO: Lyons Steel and driver Jordan Stratton won the Saturday night feature at The Meadowlands. (Credit: Lisa Photo)