Undeterred by the sluggish early fractions, Up Front Dan overwhelmed the leader with a backside blitz and went on to a facile victory in Tuesday’s $30,500 championship of the Walter Russell Memorial Pace at The Meadows.

Up Front Dan was sitting fourth while the leader, Incredible Dragon, waltzed to the half in :58.3. Winning driver Dave Palone said the leisurely pace didn’t worry him.

“I wasn’t concerned about the fractions,” Palone said. “I just wanted to race him out of a hole. When he got clear sailing and made the lead, I thought it was over. He hasn’t had many physical problems; he just needs to mature a bit. He has a lot of ability, but he’s just now starting to give you a good effort.”

Up Front Dan easily blew by Incredible Dragon, scorching the back half in 55.4 en route to victory in 1:54.2. Incredible Dragon saved place, 2-3/4 lengths back, while Really Lucky finished third.

Ron Burke trains the four-year-old Dragon Again-Shes A Daisy gelding for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Ed Mullinax. Palone noted that Burke has enjoyed a wee bit of success with another son of Dragon Again — Foiled Again, two-time Older Male Pacer of the Year and the richest pacer ever.

“I think it’s safe to say that Up Front Dan won’t go down in history as Ronnie’s favourite Dragon Again,” he said. “But I think he’ll make a useful horse.”

Elsewhere on the card, it was Palone again in the $18,000 Preferred Trot, as he sent Hava Kadabra on a quarter-pole move that carried him to victory in 1:53.3. He was 3-1/2 lengths better than TSM Photo Bugger, with Tamarind finishing third.

Burke trains the six-year-old Kadabra-Armbro Vixen gelding, who now boasts $421,360 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Yannick Gingras.

Palone finished the 15-race card with six victories, including four for Burke.

(The Meadows)