Idling in eighth by nine lengths at the half, Beach Memories launched an amazing bid that carried him to victory by a widening five and a quarter lengths in Friday’s $20,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
In his most recent starts, Beach Memories had taken on some of the best in the sport — including Bettors Edge, Sweet Lou, Clear Vision and Foiled Again — so Mike Wilder knew the Somebeachsomewhere-Allamerican Memoir gelding would have plenty of pace when asked. He blew by his stablemate, Santa Fe Beachboy, to score in 1:51. When Santa Fe Beachboy kept his nose ahead of Major Belle for show, it gave trainer Brian Brown an exacta sweep.
Strollin Stable, AWS Stables, King McNamara and Country Club Acres campaign Beach Memories, who now boasts $493,884 in career earnings.
Wilder drove six winners on the 15-race card while trainer Ron Burke enjoyed a triple.
With his four wins on the program, Dave Palone pushed his career victory total to 16,743, eight short of the 16,751 compiled by the world’s “winningest” driver, Heinz Wewering. Because Wewering remains active in Germany and has been averaging about one victory per week, Palone’s target may change slightly.
(The Meadows)