Leaping up in class on Leap Day, Hankscoltfortyfive overpowered the field first over to spring an 11-1 upset — his second straight victory — in Thursday’s (Feb. 29) feature at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, an $16,081 conditioned pace.
Hankscoltfortyfive was jumping up from conditioned claimers, but owner/trainer/driver Brady Jenson did not hesitate to send him first up from fourth. The five-year-old Western Trademark-Hanks Chip gelding gobbled up the leader, Take A Closer Look, and rolled home in a career-best 1:54.2, three-quarter lengths better than Colby Jack. A trapped-in Aintbluenomore found late racing room for show.
Elsewhere on Thursday’s card, The Meadows and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association welcomed back driver Chris Shaw, who made his first purse start since suffering multiple serious injuries in a Sept. 28, 2021 race mishap at The Meadows. His return was successful, as he finished third aboard Yankee Gambol, a three-year-old trotting filly trained by Shaw’s wife, Ashley Brown.
Aaron Merriman, Dave Palone, Ridge Warren, Ronnie Wrenn Jr., trainer Michael Burke and Jenson each enjoyed a double on the 13-race card.
Live harness racing at The Meadows continues on Friday, March 1 when the 13-race program features an $836.03 carryover in the Pick 5 (race nine). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)