What’s a mother to do when she finds herself driving in a harness race against her son and her daughter? If that mom is Danita Harvey, she puts the pedal to the metal and whups ‘em

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That’s what Harvey did Wednesday, February 29 at the Meadows when she drove in a special $10,000 division of the Sadie Hawkins Trot in a field that also included her son, Daren, and her daughter, Nicki.

After having left from the rail with Valley Of Vice in the one and quarter-mile event, Danita saved ground and urged her six-year-old Valley Victor mount home through the stretch over a tiring track rated 'good.' She recorded the win for trainer Bill Daumit and owners Tom and Patty Daumit.

Nicki and Daren finished sixth and seventh, respectively, demonstrating that youth will be served, but not necessarily right now.

When Sharon Donella captured the second Sadie Hawkins trot with Ashlees Dream for trainer Rich Gillock and owners Joe and JoAnn Thomson, it completed a ladies’ sweep of the Sadie Hawkins events, which brought together 10 female drivers and their male invitees. The Meadows and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association staged the Sadie Hawkins celebration.

In the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot, Winning Mister won his fourth straight by scoring in 1:52.4, thus equalling his own track record for older stallions. Dick Stillings drove for Gillock and owner/breeder Bob Key. The six-year-old son of Angus Hall--Winning Missbrenda now boasts $831,694 in career earnings.

Aaron Merriman and Brett Miller each drove three winners on the 15-race card while Gillock enjoyed a training triple.

(The Meadows)