Red Star Hottie overcame a poor post and a lengthy layoff to score a front-end victory in Friday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows

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Although she hadn’t raced since Dec. 9 and was saddled with Post 9, Red Star Hottie vaulted to the lead for Dave Palone and held off late challengers inside and out to triumph in 1:52.4. The pocket-sitting All Heart Gal couldn’t quite reach in the Lightning Lane, falling a neck short, while even-money favourite Mud Pie Hanover was third.

Ron Burke trains Red Star Hottie, a seven-year-old daughter of As Promised-Whitehorse Fever who now boasts $537,865 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Tony Hall drove four winners and Palone had three on the 15-race card.

(With files from The Meadows)