Published: March 19, 2010 9:49 pm ET

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Fresh off a second-place finish in the Hopeful final, a sharp O Lucky Me overcame post nine and captured Friday’s $15,000 opening leg of the Quarter Mile at The Meadows.

O Lucky Me endured a tough first-over trip in the slop at Yonkers to earn her big Hopeful cheque, a show of determination that may have persuaded trainer/driver Ray Paver to steer her aggressively.

He sent the three-year-old daughter of The Panderosa-Natchitoches toward the front, where she found the pocket behind early leader Dovetail. O Lucky Me stalked patiently and then charged through the ‘Lightning Lane’ to score in a career-best 1:55.4.

She was more than two lengths better than the rallying Shes An American. Sabines Filly closed well to finish third. Steve Jones bred and owns O Lucky Me, who has hit the board in eight of 11 lifetime starts.

The early-closing series was open to three and four-year-old filly and mare pacers.

(The Meadows)