Speed Bomb wrested the early lead from Vivid Photo, then held off his celebrated rival in a stirring, stretch-long duel to capture Thursday’s $25,000 Preferred Handicap

Trot at The Meadows.

Vivid Photo shot to the lead for Roger Hammer, leaving Speed Bomb and Dave Palone parked before they cleared past the quarter. They raced that way until the top of the lane, when Hammer tipped Vivid Photo off the pylons for the drive.

Vivid Photo erased most of his two-length deficit, but the game Speed Bomb would not let him by, prevailing by a neck in 1:55.2. Chips And Wings, up from the claiming ranks, was a ground-saving third.

Ronnie Burke trains Speed Bomb, a seven-year-old son of Master Lavec-Mighty JC, who pushed his career bankroll to $491,662 for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables LLC and Phillip Collura. It was one of four wins on the 13-race card for Palone.

(The Meadows)