Valentowner made a triumphant return to The Meadows’ pacing elite Wednesday when he brushed wide and late to capture the $22,500 Preferred

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A fixture in the track’s top pace for years, Valentowner had retreated in recent months to conditioned races. But after two straight victories there, the seven-year-old son of Towners Big Guy-Keys Valentine followed the second-over cover of Jojo N Goliath and blew past in the lane to down that rival by a nose in 1:52.2 over a “good” surface. Meadows newcomer Sand Summerfield was a close-up third.

Greg Grismore drove for trainer Norm Parker and owner-breeder Bob Key of Leechburg, Pennsylvania. Valentowner now boasts career earnings of $472,279.

Dave Palone drove four winners — three for trainer Ron Burke — while Brett Miller enjoyed a driving triple on the 15-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Thursday at 12:55 p.m.

(The Meadows)