Dismissed at 13-1, Coastal wore down heavy favourite Dewitt For Josie and surged at the wire to pull off the upset in Wednesday’s (Aug. 9) $19,300 Filly & Mare Open Handicap Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Coastal was fourth down the back side when Jeremy Indof sent her uncovered after Dewitt For Josie, who two starts back scored in 1:49.3, a track record for four-year-old mares. But Coastal apparently hadn’t read the clippings. She pulled even with the 3-5 favourite at the top of her lane and downed her by a neck in 1:51.1, matching her career best. Blue Ivy shot the Lightning Lane for show. 

Ron Burke trains Coastal, a four-year-old daughter of Downbytheseaside-Pink Camo who boosted her career bankroll to $261,713, for Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva Stables, Jason Melillo and Beasty. 

Lucas Myers and Dave Palone joined Indof and Burke with doubles on the 12-race card.

On Thursday, The Meadows kicks off three straight days of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and PA Stallion Series action, with some of the most promising youngsters in the sport vying for total purses exceeding $540,000. Thursday’s focus is on two-year-old filly trotters with the sire stakes, known as the Delmonica Hanover, going as races eight and 10.

On the wagering front, Thursday’s (Aug. 10) program offers a trio of carryovers: $1,933.08 in the Early Pick 4 (race one); $1,056.50 in the Early Pentafecta (race four); $949.06 in the Pick 5 (race eight). With that healthy carryover, the Early Pick 4 pool will be guaranteed at $5,000. First post is 12:45 p.m.

(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)