Atta Boy Dan worked out a cozy pocket trip, then brushed by his stablemate, Visible Gold, in the lane to capture Wednesday’s $18,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
Visible Gold cut out a seemingly comfortable :59 half, but the sloppy surface and a stern first-over challenge from Desperation left the leader vulnerable. Atta Boy Dan and Eric Goodell had little trouble overtaking Visible Gold, prevailing by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:56.2. Exactly Black was a ground-saving third.
Ron Burke trains Atta Boy Dan, a six-year-old Western Terror-Dropitlikeitshot gelding who extended his career bankroll to $225,560, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Aaron Merriman, Dave Palone, Burke and Goodell all fashioned three-baggers on the 14-race card. Goodell’s haul lifted his career victory total to 4,994.
(The Meadows)