Opening day for the 2012 harness racing season brought snow squalls, single-digit wind chills and a cold shoulder
from The Meadows' bettors for Anastasia Whinnie, who was making a double class jump to reach the $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot.
Undeterred by it all, she rode the cover of the first-over Rose Run Keepsake then knifed through an icy wind in the stretch to pull off a 30-1 shocker for Dick Stillings to score in 1:57.2 over a “good” surface. Malibu Breeze shot the Lightning Lane for second, 1-3/4 lengths back, while Photo Fantasy found late racing room for show.
Jeff Conger trains and owns Anastasia Whinnie, a five-year-old daughter of Full Count-Anastasia Bow.
Tony Hall, Eric Ledford and Dave Palone each drove three winners on the 15-race card. During its opening week, The Meadows will offer live cards of harness racing on Wednesday and Thursday at 12:55 p.m. and Friday at 6:55 p.m.