Skippin By had to work hard for the early lead but never was threatened thereafter as she coasted to a 1:53 victory in Monday’s $18,000 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.

Skippin By hadn’t won since an Aug. 29 triumph at The Meadows, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Since then, she’s faced a steady diet of elite mares and grabbed a fifth-place cheque in the Breeders Crown final. On Monday, she dominated the field for Dave Palone after wresting the early lead from Spreester, downing the first-over Classic Carpet by a length. Spreester finished third.

Ron Burke trains Skippin By, a five-year-old daughter of Shadow Play-Southern Magnolia who boosted her career bankroll to $711,798, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Wall Bros. Stable and Bruce Soulsby.

Palone and owner Bob Key enjoyed triples on the 14-race card while Shawn Johnston collected two wins as a driver and another as a trainer.

(The Meadows)