Lucky Bettor survived a withering first-quarter journey to capture Wednesday’s $22,500 Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows in a sharp

1:51.2.

Dave Palone hustled Lucky Bettor toward the front from Post 6, but the seven-year-old Bettors Delight-Hornby Lucky gelding found himself four-wide in a spirited :26.2 opening panel. Once on the lead, Lucky Bettor thwarted the first-over challenge of War Boots and had just enough to down Red Hot Scandal by a neck. Jojo N Goliath was a ground-saving third.

Ron Burke trains Lucky Bettor, who now boasts $754,194 in lifetime earnings, for Burke Racing Stable, JJK Stables and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

(The Meadows)