EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Lucky Chucky stormed past favored Holiday Road in the final 600 yards to win the second of three elimination heats in the Hambletonian trotting event for 3-year-olds at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

In the first elimination Saturday night, Pilgrims Taj beat favored Muscles Massive by a half-length. In the last elimination, Cassis took the lead at the half-mile mark and coasted home in 1:52.4, the fastest time of the eliminations.

The top three in each elimination and the top fourth-place finisher in lifetime earnings earned spots next Saturday in the $1 million Hambletonian final.

In the Hambletonian Oaks eliminations, Poof She's Gone, Springtime Volo and Boinga won their heats to move on to the $750,000 final for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Lucky Chucky, driven by Hall of Famer John Campbell and trained by Chuck Sylvester, finished in 1:53.1. Campbell has driven six Hambletonian winners.

``He finished up strong last week and raced really well tonight,'' Campbell said. ``Chuck had a plan and it's worked to perfection.''

Sylvester, who has trained four Hambletonian winners, didn't get to see his horse cross the finish line.

``I got excited and felt a little light-headed,'' said Sylvester, whose son, Troy, was killed an alternate-terrain vehicle accident this year. ``So down I went. But I feel fine now. I thought once we got up to him (Holiday Road), we could wear him down, which we did.''

Sylvester was down near the winner's circle for about 10 minutes and was receiving medical assistance before being helped to his feet. Holiday Road weakened and finished third in the heat, behind Lucky Chucky and runner-up Mystery Photo.

In the first elimination, Pilgrims Taj, driven by Mike Lachance, came on in the final strides to win in 1:53.3. Pilgrims Taj, trained by Trond Smedshammer, finished sixth in a stakes race in his last race two weeks ago.

In the last elimination, Cassis, was driven by Tim Tetrick.