Showing no ill effects from a layoff of more than six weeks, Spreester used a three-wide backside burst to capture Monday’s $20,000 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
Aniston Seelster vaulted to the front from post 8 but had to blaze through first-half fractions of :26.1 and 54.4 to stay there. That was the signal for Aaron Merriman to move Spreester from mid-pack. The five-year-old daughter of American Ideal-Rodeo Spree responded by gobbling up Aniston Seelster and holding off the rallying Show Runner by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:51.3. Best Of Jenna finished third.
Bill Bercury trains Spreester, who was won 31 of 86 career starts and $514,576, for Renee Bercury.
Jim Pantaleano piloted three winners on the 14-race card while Doug Snyder enjoyed a training/driving double.
On Tuesday, Oct. 18, The Meadows Racetrack & Casino will offer a $10,000 total-pool guarantee for its Pick 5 wager as part of the United States Trotting Association's Strategic Wagering Initiative. The Meadows added the “instant” guarantee after Monday’s Pick 5 was uncovered, resulting in a two-day carryover of $3,163.43.
In addition, Tuesday’s card includes a $5,000 total-pool guarantee for the Pick 4, a regular feature of each program at The Meadows.
Minimum wager for the Pick 4 (races 4-7) and Pick 5 (races 10-14) is 50 cents. Since Pennsylvania law requires a minimum per-race wager of $2, a player wagering at the 50-cent level must bet at least four tickets.
First post for Tuesday’s program is 1 p.m.
(The Meadows)