Phoenix Warrior N stalked Lincolnjames from the pocket, then blew by him in the Lightning Lane to capture Tuesday’s (Jan. 2) $20,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
In the season-opening featured race, with the weather frigid but sunny, Lincolnjames quarter-poled to the front and turned back the first-over challenge of Nimble And Quick. But he was no match for Phoenix Warrior N, who knifed inside for Dan Rawlings and scored in 1:54.2 over a “good” surface, 1-1/4 lengths better than Lincolnjames, with Atta Boy Dan third.
Scott Betts trains Phoenix Warrior N, an eight-year-old Jeremes Jet-Never Walk Alone gelding who extended his career bankroll to $211,693, for Timothy Betts, Nicholas Catalano, and Stephen Moss.
Aaron Merriman and Mike Wilder each collected four wins on the 13-race card.
(The Meadows)