Taking advantage of a costly mistake by the leader, Sir Caviar bullied his way to the front and captured Wednesday’s $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows

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The key moment in the race occurred midway down the backside, with Master Begonia on the point trying to fend off the first-over Chips And Wings and Sir Caviar along the pylons in third. Master Begonia broke stride and left the course, but instead of allowing Chips And Wings to cross over, Brian Zendt rushed Sir Caviar through the inside to the front, keeping Chips And Wings parked.

Sir Caviar triumphed in 1:53.1, lowering his lifetime mark a full second. Chips And Wings was a game second, 4-1/4 lengths back, with Springboard third. Leslie Zendt trains Sir Caviar, a four-year-old SJs Caviar-Sierra Flower K gelding, who won for the eighth time this year, and owns with Bill Zendt.

Dave Palone drove three winners on the 15-race card, lifting his career victory total to 13,996. His quest for 14,000 is set to resume Friday when he drives at The Meadows and in Breeders Crown eliminations at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

(The Meadows)