Carrera Hanover turned back a pair of late challengers to win his fifth straight in Friday’s (April 12) Terry Altmeyer Memorial Trot at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Father Mike captured the other $16,892 opening-leg split in the series for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters.
The event honours the memory of Terry Altmeyer, a stalwart of both Meadows racing and the Pennsylvania fairs.
Carrera Hanover most recently took the final of a series that included four-year-olds and was sent off the 2-5 favourite as a result. The Bar Hopping-Cankeysto gelding controlled the fractions from post seven but was threatened in the lane by Vanguard outside and Korkscrew in the Lightning Lane. He dug in for Ridge Warren and downed Korkscrew by half a length in 1:58.2 over a sloppy surface. Vanguard finished third. J.L. Adams trains Carrera Hanover for Martin Valentic and McKenna Adams.
Father Mike also zipped to the point but had little trouble holding the lead throughout for Jeremy Indof, scoring in 1:57.3. Kill A Word, off at 99-1, was second, 6-3/4 lengths back, while Nail Driver completed the ticket. Richard Perfido conditions the Father Patrick-Ready Any Time gelding for Scott Leaf, Michael Ternisky and Gerald Fielding.
Elsewhere on Friday’s card, Emeralds Legacy shot the Lightning Lane to take the $25,946 Open Handicap Trot in 1:54 for Dave Palone, trainer Scott Betts and owners Tim Betts, Nick Catalano, Keith Pippi and Shanamphilaniklou. The five-year-old Father Patrick-Devilish Emerald gelding now boasts a career bankroll of $246,265. Early leader Jeffery P was second, beaten 1-1/2 lengths, with Killer Instinct third.
Palone collected four wins on the 12-race card.
Live harness racing at The Meadows continues Saturday, when the 12-race program features a $229.90 carryover in the Lucky7 (race three). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)