‘WRONG’ PROVES RIGHT IN BIG M’S GARDEN STATE

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Wrong Sounds Right picked up his third win in his last four tries Friday night at The Meadowlands after taking the featured $80,000 Garden State for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the trot.

The Jim Campbell trainee, sent off as the popular 1-9 favorite, was reserved early, sitting fourth in the eight-horse field as 5-1 second choice Easy Down Blonde took the field past the quarter in :28.1.

Driver Todd McCarthy moved Wrong Sounds Right off the rail just after the half, which Easy Down Blonde reached in :56.4, and made his way after the leader. The eventual winner was getting close to Easy Down Blonde at three-quarters (1:26.1), before collaring that foe as the field straightened up in the stretch. Wrong Sounds Right then went on to an easy 3¼-length win in 1:53.1. Jazzy Blues rallied for second with Easy Down Blonde holding third.

“He was really good tonight. Off the turn, I wanted to come easy with him. He gave me a really good kick,” said McCarthy. “Jim’s done a good job managing this horse. I hope he has a big year. He trotted a good mile in his last start (when second in the New Jersey Sire Stakes Platinum final). He’s got a great attitude. It’s a good group of people to be working with.”

Wrong Sounds Right, a colt by Tactical Landing-Broadway Jo Ell who is owned by the Runthetable Stables, has now won three of five lifetime outings, good for earnings of $111,250. He paid $2.20 to win.

JUMP IN THE PICK-5 POOL: After a 36-1 shot won the second race and a 32-1 chance the fourth, there were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-5, creating a carryover of $27,713 for Saturday’s card.

The pool is estimated to be $100,000.

The Pick-5 is offered on races 1-5, and free past performances for all Meadowlands races are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

Those with four correct selections Friday cashed in for $156.78.

GREAT IN THE GARDEN STATE: There were two $50,000 divisions of the Garden State for 2-year-old filly trotters contested on the program, and those winners were:

• Race 4 (Division 1) – Special Orchid (Walner-Special Honor), Mark Herschberger was the driver, Tony Alagna is the trainer, time for the mile was 1:55.4 (first win in five lifetime tries), the win payout was $66.20 as the 32-1 longest shot on the board
• Race 6 (Division 2) – Rio De Janeiro (Walner-Devilish Delight), Joe Bongiorno, Nancy Takter, lifetime-best 1:54.1 (second win in five lifetime starts), $7.20 as the 5-2 second choice

DEVELOPING NICELY: Also on the program were a pair of $10,000 New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund events for 3-year-olds on the trot, and those emerging victorious were:

• Race 2 (Fillies) – Grand Prix Deo (Muscle Hill-Grand Stand), Bongiorno, Andrew Harris, lifetime-best 1:52.1 (second win in 13 lifetime outings), $74.60 as the 36-1 longest shot on the board
• Race 12 (Colts and Geldings) – Captain Jordan (Captain Corey-Jordan Blue Chip), Brett Beckwith, Scott DiDomenico, 1:54.2 (ninth win from 20 lifetime starts), $10 as the 4-1 third choice

A LITTLE MORE: Bongiorno was the leading driver on the night with four winner’s circle visits. … Melissa Keith called the races and had herself a good night picking winners. She had four on top, one short-priced favorite, and three others that paid $13.80, $17.80 and $12.20, respectively. … All-source handle on the 13-race program totaled $1,922,441. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

PHOTO: Wrong Sounds Right won the Friday night feature at The Meadowlands, the Garden State, an event for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters. Todd McCarthy was in the bike. (Credit: Lisa Photo)