Emeralds Legacy let Tequila Talkin do the heavy lifting on the front end, then kicked by him in the Lightning Lane to capture his second straight in the feature on Thursday, Feb. 8 at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, the $28,649 Open Handicap Trot.
Emeralds Legacy and Tequila Talking were assigned outside posts, but that didn’t stop them from duelling for the early lead. Emeralds Legacy yielded to the pocket, but when Dave Palone pointed him inside in the lane, the five-year-old Father Patrick-Devilish Emerald gelding was much the stronger horse, defeating Tequila Talkin by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53. Swan Legacy was a ground-saving third.
Scott Betts trains Emeralds Legacy, who now sports a career bankroll of $225,270, for Tim Betts, Nick Catalano, Keith Pippi and Shanamphilaniklou.
It was one of three wins for Palone on the 13-race card.
Live harness racing at The Meadows continues on Friday, Feb. 9 when the 13-race program features a $1,153.70 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (Race 4). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)