While fans and patrons at The Meadows are used to seeing Ron Burke in the winner's circle, the horses are frequently ones he owns and trains. On Tuesday, he had his picture taken after training and driving a homebred to victory.
Burke, harness racing’s leading trainer for many years, enjoyed a rare win in the sulky -- in only his second drive of the year at The Meadows -- when he steered first-time starter Rugged Wear to victory. Burke and his mother, Sylvia, bred and own the four-year-old son of Yankee Cruiser-Hip Huggers.
It's the first driving win for Burke since August 2003 when he steered Dr Stewart to victory at the Waynesburg Fair in Pennsylvania.
Scented Roses captured her fourth straight victory Tuesday at The Meadows when she scored easily in the $22,500 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot.
Scented Roses retook the lead for Dave Palone past the quarter and widened her margin late, prevailing by 1-1/4 lengths over Whata Donato in 1:56.2 on a “good” surface. Boos Party Girl rallied for show.
Burke also trains Scented Roses, a four-year-old daughter of Cantab Hall-Scent Of A Woman who extended her career bankroll to $139,014, for Burke Racing Stable.
It was one of six wins on the 15-race card for Palone.
(with files from The Meadows)