Livelikeurdying overcame his initial reluctance to follow the leader and kicked home in the stretch to capture Tuesday’s $27,200 championship of the John Sitzer Memorial Pace at The Meadows and complete his sweep of the series

for three- and four-year-old colts and geldings.

Although Livelikeurdying won his first two Sitzer splits handily, he was ahead at every call in those races and never had to sit in. When trainer/driver Randy Tharps guided him to the pocket from the gate behind Dungeon Dragon, the four-year-old Real Artist-Yourealligottonite gelding was visibly anxious.

“He was getting a little grabby,” Tharps confirmed, “but once they got going a little more, he settled down. I wanted him on the front, but I had to bide my time.”

Livelikeurdying roared from the pocket in the lane to down Dungeon Dragon by two lengths in 1:54. The first-over What A Smile raced well for show. Tharps said Livelikeurdying showed immediate promise when Johnson Hill, Jr. acquired him last summer.

“The first time I trained him here, it was in a monsoon,” Tharps said. “But even in those conditions, he had some go to him.”

In the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Pace, Meirs Hanover showed no ill effects from an 18-week layoff, scoring a front-end victory in 1:51.2 for Dave Palone, trainer Ron Burke and owners David Van Dusen, Michael Cimaglio and Strollin Stable. Jojo N Goliath was second, with Full Of Sand third.

A five-year-old son of Artsplace-Mary Mattgalane, Meirs Hanover now boasts career earnings of $349,194.

Mike Wilder drove three winners on the 15-race card, giving him eight victories over the past two programs.

(The Meadows)