Mission Voyage threw down a swift :56 opening half but made it stand up in capturing Wednesday’s (Feb. 2) feature at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, an $11,000 conditioned trot.

Bet down to 4-5, Mission Voyage put some suspense in the race when he got away fourth and couldn’t clear with a quarter-pole move until past the three-eighths. But the five-year-old Manofmanymissions-Bon Voyage gelding responded to Dave Palone’s urging and held strong, scoring in a career-best 1:54.3. Killer Instinct was second off a layoff of nearly four months, beaten a length, while Jula Magician finished third.

Scott Betts trains Mission Voyage, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $108,784, for Tar Heel Racing. Betts and Palone teamed for three wins on the 11-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Thursday when the 11-race program features a pair of carryovers: $1,079,79 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (race four), $491.05 in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m.

(MSOA)