Atta Boy Dan reeled off two sub-:27 quarters yet was fresh as a daisy in the lane, capturing Wednesday’s $18,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows in 1:49.2.
The time equalled the track record for older geldings established by Itrustyou in 2013.
Atta Boy Dan won a three-ply battle for the early lead, but had to pace in :26.2 to get there. He blazed the third panel in :26 to thwart the first-over challenge of Ideal Magic. When Dave Palone asked him for more in the stretch, the six-year-old son of Western Terror-Dropitlikeitshot opened up and defeated his stablemate, At Press Time, by two and a half lengths. The pocket-sitting Seventh Secret finished third.
Ron Burke trains Atta Boy Dan, who won for the fourth time in his last five starts and extended his career bankroll to $330,117, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Elsewhere on the card, Candelaria Deo triumphed at first asking in 1:58.3. Palone piloted the daughter of Cantab Hall-Highland Ridge for Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and J&T Silva Stables.
Palone and Burke each enjoyed a four-bagger on the 14-race program.
(With files from The Meadows)