Good Deal overpowered the field with a :27 third-quarter burst en route to victory in Friday’s Wilbur Zendt Memorial Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Dream of Dragons captured the other $10,000 second-leg split of the series for three- and four-year-old male pacers, giving Dave Palone a sweep of the event.
The $15,000-added series championship is set for Friday, March 25.
A three-year-old Sweet Lou-Cut A Deal gelding, Good Deal hadn’t raced since Oct. 9. But he had plenty of pop when Palone sent him first up from fourth, scoring in 1:53.2 to match his lifetime mark. Early leader Pack Your Bags was second, one length back, with Ill Take The Bet third.
Ron Burke trains Good Deal for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and J&T Silva-Purnel&Libby.
Dream Of Dragons also made his decisive move in the third quarter, throwing down a :27.3 panel. The four-year-old Dragon Again-Honey Dreams gelding triumphed in a career-best 1:53.2. Woody Two finished second, 1-1/2 lengths in arrears, while Treasurer Delight finished third. Dave Zito owns and conditions the winner.
In the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace, Wild Wild Western was ahead at every pole and thwarted a pair of late challenges to prevail in 1:50.1 for Brady Brown. Dorsoduro Hanover and Carolina Beach completed the ticket. Norm Parker trains the 6-year-old son of Western Ideal-Caila Fra, who vaulted over the $400,000 mark in career earnings for Jacobs Creek Racing, Andrew Altobelli and Jon Deters
Aaron Merriman collected three wins on the 11-race card.
Live harness racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday (March 23) when the 11-race program features a pair of carryovers — $27,529.19 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (race 4), $6,271.03 in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m.
(MSOA)