New Jersey John, claimed out of his last start for $12,500, paid immediate dividends for owner and trainer Mike Dini by capturing the featured $35,000 allowance optional claimer on Saturday during the second day of the Monmouth at Meadowlands all-turf meeting.

Forwardly placed throughout the one-mile race, New Jersey John sat off the flanks of the pace-setting Victory Chimes almost from the outset, surging past that one in mid-stretch. The 5-year-old gelding then held off the fast-closing bid of Atta Kid by a half-length. It was another neck back in third to Desperado.

Ridden by Jomar Torres, New Jersey John returned $13.60 to win in the field of ten 3-year-olds and up.

Time for the eight furlongs over a turf course listed as firm was 1:36.64.

One race earlier, trainer Tim Kelly lit up the tote board for the second straight day when 80-1 Carpenter rallied to win the fifth race at a mile under Shannon Uske. The only Jersey-bred in the field of 10, Carpenter returned $163.00 to win, triggering a superfecta that returned $8,614 for 10 cents.

On Friday, Kelly sent out 63-1 shot Single Broad to win the featured allowance optional claimer, resulting in a win payoff of $129.80.

Prima Ventures LLC owns both of Kelly’s longshot winners. The veteran trained had been 0-for-49 on the year entering Friday’s card.

Kelly’s latest longshot winner contributed to second-day carryovers in both the Pick 5 and the Pick 6 heading into the Friday, Oct. 11, card at the Meadowlands.

The Pick 5 carryover stands at $18,326.89. The Pick 6 carryover heading into next weekend is $5,134.57.

Live racing shifts to Monmouth Park on Sunday for a nine-race program.

All-turf Thoroughbred racing will continue at the Meadowlands on Fridays and Saturdays throughout October, with the exception of Saturday, Oct. 19, when the 99^th steeplechase meet takes place at Far Hills.

Monmouth Park is conducting live racing on Sundays in the month of October.

First race post time for the Meadowlands all-turf racing is 12:30 p.m. First race post on Sundays at Monmouth Park is 1:15 p.m.