North America Cup eligible Beach House looked vulnerable late after fronting the mile, but he held on gamely to notch his second straight series victory in Saturday’s Unlocked Pace at The Meadows.
Southwind Yukon took the other $15,000 division in the event for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers, giving Dave Palone a sweep of the second leg.
On Saturday, April 22, The Meadows will host the championships of the Unlocked Pace and three other current series for sophomores.
Beach House endured a parked-out :27.4 opening panel and faced a swarm of challengers late. But the son of Somebeachsomewhere-Sara Sue had enough left to throw down a :28.3 final quarter and score in 1:53.4 for trainer Rich Gillock and owner Harry Locke. Showing My Hand, a 21-1 outsider, finished second, one and a quarter lengths back, while Dragon Striker earned show.
Hammered down to 1-5, Southwind Yukon never gave chalk players an anxious moment as he rolled to a front-end victory in 1:53, a life mark. Subliminal was second, two lengths in arrears, with Aplin Hanover third. Ron Burke trains Southwind Yukon, a son of Somebeachsomewhere-Southwind Solara, for Burke Racing Stable, Larry Karr, Richard Suda and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
In the $18,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace, Dapper Dude powered to a front-end victory in 1:51, three-quarters of a length better than the pocket-sitting Lincolnjames. Knocking Around rallied for show. Aaron Merriman piloted the eight-year-old son of The Panderosa-Dress To Suggest, who now boasts $1,093,336 in career earnings, for trainer Bill Bercury and owner Renee Bercury.
Merriman and Palone each finished the 12-race card with four wins.
(With files from The Meadows)