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Handsoffmycookie rallies in Sweetheart elim

East Rutherford, NJ--Handsoffmycookie rallied in the stretch to win the $20,000 Sweetheart elimination for 2-year-old pacing fillies Friday night (Aug. 12) at Meadowlands Racetrack.

In her Meadowlands wagering debut, Handsoffmycookie and driver Tim Tetrick sailed past heavy favorite Podges Lady to score a one-length victory in a career-best 1:52.4. The daughter of Art Major-Observe Me was a $25,000 yearling purchase at the Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg, Pa. She is perfect in four starts this season for trainer Scott Di Domenico and owners Jfe Enterprise LLC of Elmsford, N.Y. She paid $8.80 to win.

“She’s been perfect all along,” said driver Tim Tetrick. “She likes to win and she loves to pass horses. Every time I’ve tipped her I haven’t had to tell her because she’s already going forward. She’s definitely got a lot of high speed and she had a big last quarter tonight.

"I think she could be the one to beat in the final. There are a lot of nice fillies in there. Ed’s [Hart] filly [Pirouette Hanover] already went in 1:51, but we get to pick our post [for the final]. My filly is really nice and I think there’s a lot left in her.”

Tonight’s victory advances Handsoffmycookie to the Sweetheart final, which will be contested for a purse of $364,000 on Saturday, Aug. 20. Rounding out the field for the final will be Bettor B Lucky, Podges Lady, Major Look, Sangaal, Ramalama, Rockin Belle, Rockin Reese, Yummy Sushi and Pirouette Hanover, who received a bye into the final.