Forced three-wide early and chasing an untested leader, Heza Challenger kicked it into high gear in the lane Wednesday at The Meadows to capture the $27,500 Preferred Trot

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While even-money favourite Master Begonia worked out a comfortable first half in :59.3 over a “good” surface, Heza Challenger and Brett Miller languished 6-1/2 lengths back before picking up live three-wide cover from Voila American. Heza Challenger charged through the stretch to nail Master Begonia by 1/2 length in 1:57.2, with Voila American a game third.

Bruce Riegle trains Heza Challenger, a five-year-old Chip Chip Hooray-Ten Queens gelding who won the Preferred for the third time in his last four starts, for Robert Kauffman.

Mike Wilder drove four winners on the 14-race card, leaving him seven victories shy of 5,000 for his career, while Dick Stillings and Brett Miller enjoyed driving triples.

(The Meadows)