Arthur Pendragon moved steadily first over and wore down the leader, Dapper Dude, to take Friday’s $18,000 Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
Arthur Pendragon was third when Mike Wilder sent him after Dapper Dude, a millionaire who seldom gives up the lead late. But the determined Arthur Pendragon edged him by a head in 1:53, with New Evidence a close-up third.
Ron Burke conditions the six-year-old Dragon Again-Western Realist gelding, who now boasts $268,745 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Phil Collura and Jack Piatt III. Wilder bagged four winners on the 12-race card while Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. enjoyed a triple.
In other highlights of the week at The Meadows:
Converted Claimer I Want Kandy Captures $20,000 F&M Trot
When I Want Kandy took a Jan. 21 $8,000 claiming race, it didn’t seem especially noteworthy. Yet it launched a three-race winning streak that carried her to Wednesday’s $20,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot. Did she belong with the track’s elite distaff trotters?
Did she ever. The six-year-old daughter of Angus Hall-Celebrity Kandy moved first over for Jim Pantaleano and triumphed in 1:59 over a sloppy, tiring track to extend her streak to four. Youre Majestic finished second, two lengths back, with Goodtogo Hanover third. Scott Betts trains I Want Kandy, who pushed her lifetime earnings to $160,388, for Tim Betts. It was one of three victories on the 13-race program for Pantaleano.
Camera Lady Wins Top Distaff Pace, Soars Over $300,000
Camera Lady controlled the mile after a quarter-pole move for Dave Palone and scored for the 46th time in 87 career starts in Tuesday’s $20,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace. Burke conditions the five-year-old daughter of Dragon Again-Ann Van Go, who soared over $300,000 in lifetime earnings, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Graceful Vision was second, beaten 2-1/4 lengths, while Medusa rallied from last to third in her seasonal debut. Winning time in the slop was 1:54.4. Tony Hall collected four victories on the 13-race card while Wilbur Yoder fashioned a training/driving double.
Uncle Leroy Upsets At 14-1 In $20,000 Trot
Dismissed at 14-1, Uncle Leroy moved confidently to the lead past the quarter and notched a comfortable victory in Monday’s $20,000 Preferred Handicap Trot. The six-year-old Neely Dunn-Plumao gelding drifted out in the sloppy stretch but held off Northern Skyway by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:56.3. Full Surge shot the Lightning Lane for show.
Charles Vigneron trains Uncle Leroy, who extended his career bankroll to $163,181, for Richard McCormick.
Live harness racing at The Meadows resumes Sunday at 1:05 p.m., the first of four consecutive Sunday cards. There will be no live racing on the Mondays following those special Sunday programs.
(The Meadows)