East Rutherford, NJ --- The fifth race at the Meadowlands on Thursday night (Feb. 28) appeared to be just another race. While some bettors held on tight to their Pick-5 tickets that were still live, young Joe Bongiorno was handed the lines to the trotting mare Chocoholic. Little did he know history awaited at the finish line.

Lisa photo

Joe Bongiorno became the teenage driver with the most wins in Meadowlands Racetrack history.

After a quick give and go past the opening quarter, Chocoholic and Joe Bongiorno led the field into the stretch, opening up a three length lead. Bongiorno went to work and Chocoholic responded, tripping the timer in 1:56.2.

In that time, Bongiorno became the teenage driver with the most wins in Meadowlands Racetrack history, surpassing the mark of Susan Looney, who owns the win as the youngest driver in the track's history. The victory with Chocoholic was the 19-year-old Bongiorno's 13th at The Big M.

“I didn’t even know what was going on,” said Bongiorno, “I was just trying to win a race. It’s great to drive at the Meadowlands, but to break any kind of record at the world’s greatest harness track is special.”

David Miller also scored a driving triple on the card as he tries to stay within shouting distance of leading driver Yannick Gingras.

On the wagering front, the bettors responded once again as this marked another Thursday night that went past $2 million, with the final tally of $2,026,337.

TVG will have a presence all weekend long on-site at the Meadowlands as they promote the transition of New Jersey Account Wagering and 4NJBETS.COM to being powered by TVG, effective Friday. Tom Cassidy and Paul Loduca will broadcast live Friday and Saturday afternoon, covering Thoroughbred action from across the country. Later, Darin Zoccali will join Tom Cassidy Friday and Saturday evening covering the live harness action at the Meadowlands.