Sonadora quarter-poled to the point and held off late challengers inside and outside to preserve her 8-1 upset in Wednesday’s $26,712 final of the Ruby Cook Memorial Pace for three-year-old fillies at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Once Sonadora reached the top, her work was far from over, as she faced threats outside from Birdie Said and in the Lightning Lane from Muse La Rouge, who had captured the series’ two preliminary legs. But Sonadore dug in for Brady Brown, triumphing in a career-best 1:54.2. Birdie Said was a head back in second, with Muse La Rouge third.
Nathan Bresnahan trains Sonadora, a daughter of Sweet Lou-Belle Boyd, for Matthew Miller.
Elsewhere on Wednesday’s card, millionaire Marloe Hanover overwhelmed a strong field in the $26,301 Filly & Mare Open Handicap Pace, prevailing easily on the front end in 1:51.1 for Dave Palone, trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. and owners Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Odds On Racing. The seven-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous-Mesmerize Bluechip now has banked $1,193,599. The pocket-sitting Lydeo was second, beaten 2-3/4 lengths, with Always Gonna B You third.
Ronnie Wrenn Jr. piloted four winners on the 13-race card.
During Wednesday's card, The Meadows and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association honoured Hunter Myers on the occasion of the 2,000th winning drive of his career. Myers, who splits his time between The Meadows and Ohio tracks, notched the milestone victory on Saturday at MGM Northfield Park. The 26-year-old Myers began driving in 2014 and in that year collected his first three pari-mutuel wins — all on the same card — at Ohio’s Jackson County Fair. Making the presentation were Pastor Joe DiDonato, The Meadows track chaplain, and Tasha McCormick, MSOA director of marketing.
Thursday’s 13-race program at The Meadows features the $17,300 USD final of the Margaret Provost Memorial Trot for three-year-old fillies. On the wagering front, the card offers an $806.67 carryover in the Lucky7 (Race 3). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)