Collusion Illusion needed two tries to get by Sharp Looker, but get by she did en route to a maiden-breaking victory in Wednesday’s Donna Dunn Memorial Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Somemiki Hanover took the other $10,000 division in the opening leg of the series for three- and four-year-old fillies and mares.
The event honours the memory of Donna Dunn, longtime Standardbred owner at The Meadows and wife of the late prominent breeder/owner/trainer/driver Walter “Boots” Dunn.
Collusion Illusion initially challenged Sharp Looker first-over, but when she couldn’t clear, Dan Charlino tucked her back to the cones for a quick breather. That may have been the difference, as the three-year-old daughter of Sweet Lou-Spoiled Beach roared through the sloppy stretch to defeat Sharp Looker by two lengths in 1:55.4. Irish Daydream finished third.
Ron Burke trains Collusion Illusion for Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva-Purnel&Libby, Knox Services and Phillip Collura.
Somemiki Hanover moved three-wide through the final turn and drew off by 2-1/2 lengths to score in a career-best 1:56.1, with Jillian B Miki and Racing Life rounding out the ticket. Hunter Myers drove the three-year-old daughter of Always B Miki-Someheartsomewhere for trainer Dan Altmeyer and owners Diamond Club Racing, Richard Kelson, David Wills and Roger Huston.
Myers collected four wins on the 11-race card, giving him eight over the last two programs.
Live harness racing at The Meadows continues Thursday when the 11-race card features a $19,867.28 carryover in the Jackpot Pick 5 (race four) as well as a $730.24 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m.
(MSOA)