Windsong Leo, who already has won at 10 pari-mutuel tracks throughout his distinguished career, will try to add another — and extend his current win streak to four — when he makes his debut at the Meadows during Saturday’s $18,000 Preferred Handicap Pace.
Windsong Leo will start from Post 4 in Race 8 and will have Ronnie Wrenn Jr. at his lines. Saturday’s card will also feature a pair of lucrative total-pool guarantees — $10,000 for the Pick 5 (Races 9-13), $7,500 for the Pick 4 (Races 4-7) — as well as a $1,781.30 jackpot in the Super High 5 (Race 13). First post will be at 1:05 p.m.
The six-year-old Jeremes Jet-Windsong Goldie gelding has won at tracks of all sizes across the continent — the Charlottetown Driving Park, Flamboro Downs, Freehold Raceway, Georgian Downs, Grand River Raceway, The Raceway at Western Fair District, the Meadowlands Racetrack, Mohawk Racetrack, Woodbine Racetrack, Yonkers Raceway. His current owners, Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura, purchased him privately last year after having watched him on tape as he looped a field for an improbable victory.
“I thought, ‘that’s not possible,” Burke recalled. “You can’t win from there. I must be watching the wrong replay.’ Then I thought, ‘we have to have that horse.’”
All the wins in Windsong Leo’s current streak have come on the front end at Yonkers, but Burke indicates he’s much more versatile than that.
“When we first got him,” Burke says, “I didn’t think he’d like to race up front, but that’s changed. He will race on the lead or near it. When you move him to a bigger track, he actually seems to like it and races even better. That’s what makes him dangerous.”
Windsong Leo, pictured victorious at the Meadowlands Racetrack (Lisa Photo)
Burke indicates he shifted Windsong Leo from Yonkers, at least for now, to invigorate his group of ‘fast-class’ horses at the Meadows.
“Truthfully, except for Stride Of Pride, that group hasn’t been up to our expectations,” he says, “and I really don’t like losing that (Preferred Handicap) race every week at the Meadows.”
On Saturday, Windsong Leo will face Phoenix Warrior N, an opponent of similar versatility and success who’s won two straight.
“Phoenix Warrior N is so dangerous because he can race either way, too. That will make it an interesting race,” Burke says. If Windsong Leo finishes first or second, he’ll soar over $300,000 in career earnings.
The Meadows and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) will offer an appealing variety of fan-centric events to complement Saturday’s program. The ‘Rockin’ On The Rail’ series of live Saturday concerts will continue with a performance by Darling Nikki Featuring Jason Walker. The music will begin on the apron at the conclusion of the races.
The MSOA will provide paddock tours, starting-gate rides and a drawing for Pittsburgh Pirates tickets. To participate or for more information, stop by the MSOA table in the Racebook.
(Meadows)