Black Hope relentlessly pursued the leader, Stay Close, first over and edged past in the shadow of the wire to capture his third straight in the feature on Friday, Sept. 1 at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, a $15,900 conditioned trot.

Black Hope was fourth down the backside when Dave Palone tipped him off the cones. Stay Close led by 1-1/2 lengths at the top of the lane and it appeared he might prevail. But when Black Hope surged late, he downed Stay Close by a head in a career-best 1:53.1. Spicy Nugget rallied for show.

Ron Burke trains Black Hope, a four-year-old Bar Hopping-Blacksirenpedia gelding who extended his lifetime bankroll to $131,935, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura.

Palone piloted four winners on the 12-race card while Burke, Brady Brown and trainer Justin Pirillo each enjoyed a triple.

Live harness racing at The Meadows continues Saturday when the 11-race program features a $548.65 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (Race 4). First post is 12:45 p.m.

(MSOA)