The final Thursday Meadowlands card of the season began with heavy hearts as the Big M paid tribute to its Hall of Fame announcer Sam McKee, who passed away Wednesday following complications from a stroke. A touching tribute video was played and the first race of the night was raced in silence.

Joe Bongiorno won three of the first five races on the nine-race program including minor upsets with Man of Muscle and Keystone I Wish in a division of the Dash for the G-Notes series. Bongiorno won the first race and tipped his whip to the heavens in honor of McKee.

Brett Miller won a pair of races including the night’s featured trot with O U Sexy Guy. O U Sexy Guy won for the 19th time in his career for trainer Jack Franklin.

The final broadcast of “Meadowlands Harness Live” on SNY featured Nancy Johansson, trainer of 2014 Horse of the Year JK She’salady, as a special co-host.

Total handle was $1,453,434 on the 9-race card.

Live racing continues tonight with an 11-race program. Post time is 7:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.

— Justin Horowitz / Meadowlands media relations manager