Last year, Longshot became the fastest three-year-old gelding trotter ever at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows with a 1:52.2 mile. On Friday, he was up to his old tricks, sailing to victory in his return to the five-eighths-mile Pennsylvania oval.
Chris Lems, who also did the honours for that track record performance, sent Longshot to the point at the quarter, and the four-year-old son of Long Tom-Tintern widened late in his second Meadows start to win Friday's featured $15,400 conditioned trot in 1:53 flat. Keystone Chaos shot the Lightning Lane for second, 1-1/4 lengths back, with Fawn De Touch third.
Scott Cox trains Longshot, who boosted his career bankroll to $350,460, for Wayne Mast Jr. and Callam Racing LLC. Dropping from Grand Circuit stakes competition after last week's Graduate Series leg at The Meadowlands, Longshot picked up his first victory in seven outings this year and paid $4 to win as the even-money favourite.
Trainer Scott Betts fashioned a four-bagger on the 12-race card courtesy of Kount Blaster (driven by Koltin Noble), Scubadan (Dave Palone), Money Matters (Drew Monti) and Mateo (Monti).
Saturday’s program at The Meadows features the $58,390 Currier & Ives for three-year-old filly trotters. The stakes goes as race nine, with first post at 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)