Carolina Beach snapped his 'bridesmaid' streak when he inherited the lead down the backside and made it stand up in Saturday’s $18,000 Open Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
Carolina Beach had five consecutive place finishes and appeared destined for another as he stalked the formidable Windsong Leo from the pocket. But when Windsong Leo made an uncharacteristic and potentially dangerous break past the half — Dave Palone guided him safely to the back of the pack — Carolina Beach seized the opportunity, holding off the Lightning Lane charge of K Ryan Bluechip by a head in 1:51.1 for Aaron Merriman. Improbably, Windsong Leo recovered to earn show.
Bill Bercury trains Carolina Beach, a five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Laughandbehappy gelding who lifted his career bankroll to $297,843, for Renee Bercury.
Tony Hall and Merriman each collected three wins on the 13-race card.
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Monday when the program features a $5,000 total-pool guarantee in the Pick 4 (races 3-6) and a $3,052.36 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 1:05 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)