Big Game Hunter held off the late challenge of Valiente Stride to capture his second straight victory in Saturday’s second leg of the Winter Claiming Series for $20,000 horse and gelding pacers at The Meadows.

Sawbuck Hanover and Want Me also took $15,000 second-leg splits.

Sent straight to the front by Aaron Merriman, Big Game Hunter easily parried the first-over bid of Mr Coolie, but then had to deal with the stretch charge of Valiente Stride. The six-year-old Geartogear-Pennys Fortune gelding downed Valiente Stride by a neck in 1:54, while Mr Coolie saved show. Mike Dowdall trains Big Game Hunter, who now boasts $161,405 in career earnings, for Keith Pippi.

The card also featured the second leg of the Winter Claiming Series for $10,000 claiming horse and gelding pacers, with Screen The Call and Waylon Hanover each winning $8,000 divisions. T

he championships of both Winter Claiming Series are set for Saturday, Feb. 27.

Elsewhere on Saturday’s program, Rockin Ron stretched his winning streak to four with a facile victory — from post nine — in the $22,500 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace. The first-over Artache Hanover was second, three and a half lengths back, with Dew N Doughnuts third. Dave Palone drove the four-year-old Real Desire-Im All A Roan gelding, who extended his career bankroll to $157,418, for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and RTC Stables.

Tony Hall, Merriman and Palone each enjoyed a three-bagger on the 15-race card.

(The Meadows)