Taking advantage of rare post position relief, Red Star Hottie shot to the early lead, backed down the second quarter and sprinted home to capture Friday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Pace at The Meadows
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Because of her dominance throughout the year, Red Star Hottie routinely has been assigned outside posts in the Filly & Mare Handicap. But Friday’s race wasn’t written as a handicap, giving the five-year-old daughter of As Promised-Whitehorse Fever a shot in the open draw. When she hustled to the front for Dave Palone from Post 4, the race was over early.
She scored in 1:52.4, three and a quarter lengths better than the first-over Francies Dream. The pocket-sitting Forever Ivy finished third.
Ron Burke trains Red Star Hottie, who triumphed for the 11th time in 25 2010 starts, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
The co-featured $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot also had a familiar result, as Sir Caviar prevailed for the 12th time in 19 opportunities this year. Brian Zendt guided Sir Caviar to his front-end score for trainer Leslie Zendt, who owns the four-year-old SJs Caviar-Sierra Flower K gelding with Bill Zendt. Rembrandt Spur was second, one length in arrears, with Southwind Wasabi completing the trifecta.
(The Meadows)