The all-turf Monmouth-at-Meadowlands Thoroughbred meet kicked off Friday night with Poochy storming down the stretch to take the $37,500 allowance feature by 8 ¼ lengths as handle on the six-program came in at $1,321,702, a 50.4% increase over last year’s opening night handle.

“It was a great start to a great meet,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, operators of Monmouth-at-Meadowlands. “Fans have always supported Thoroughbred racing at the Meadowlands and we’re proud to offer these eight nights of racing action.”

Dispatched the 11-10 favorite as the lone mare in the field of nine New Jersey breds, Poochy went the five furlongs over the firm going in :57 flat and paid $4.20, $3 and $2.40.High Cotton Socks rallied to complete the $100 exacta and returned $20 and $10.20.Billy Lion Heart checked in third, good for a $4 show mutuel.

A 6-year-old by Offlee Wild from the Blumin Affair mare Blumin Exuberant, Poochy earned her first win of the year and is now three for four lifetime over the Meadowlands lawn.

The 2017 Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet races Fridays and Saturdays in September with live cards on Saturdays in October.Post time is 7 p.m. nightly with the exception of Oct. 28 when racing gets underway at 5:30 p.m.

For more information visit www.playmeadowlands.com or www.monmouthpark.com.