Off nearly 11 months, millionaire Wind Of The North showed his class and heart when he moved strongly first over to capture the $20,000 Open 1 Handicap Trot at The Meadows on Tuesday (Jan. 14).
Wind Of The North was fourth when Aaron Merriman sent him uncovered after the leader, Icanflylikeanangel. The 10-year-old Cantab Hall-Talk To The Wind gelding drew even with the leader in mid-stretch before surging to down Icanflylikeanangel by one-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:54.3. Cherry Peep finished third.
Bill Bercury trains and owns Wind Of The North, who now boasts career earnings of $1,085,908.
Speaking of winning off the bench, Touchamatic hopped onto the track off a five-week layoff to take Tuesday’s co-feature, a $20,000 Filly & Mare Open Handicap Pace. She prevailed in 1:53.3 on the front. Long shot Magic Forces rallied for second, three-quarter lengths back, while Dark Force completed the ticket.
Touchamatic, an 18-time winner last year, scored for Merriman, trainer Bill Bercury and owner Renee Bercury, giving the trio a sweep of Tuesday’s features. The six-year-old daughter of American Ideal-Perfect Touch lifted her career bankroll to $436,122. Merriman collected three wins on the 13-race card.
Live racing at The Meadows continues Wednesday (Jan. 15) when the program features a $900.79 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post 1:05 p.m.
(The Meadows)