There's no triskaidekaphobia in the vocabulary of Mike Wilder, as the driver held the hottest hands on Friday (Dec. 13) at The Meadows.
Wilder collected five wins on the 13-race card, including a pair for trainer Paul Corey. The longtime reinsman is in the midst of his 21st consecutive season with more than 100 wins and more than $1 million in earnings. He boasts more than 8,100 wins and nearly $66 million in purses over his career.
Rising MVP pounced on the tiring leaders in the Lightning Lane to pull off a 7-1 upset in Friday’s co-feature, a $13,500 Conditioned Trot.
As Bluebird Jesse and White Tiger swapped the lead, Rising MVP found himself pinned inside and shuffled to fifth. But when the Lightning Lane beckoned, the 4-year-old My MVP-Nutmegs Winner gelding poured through for Wilbur Yoder and triumphed in 1:55.3 over a “good” surface. Bluebird Jesse saved place, 3/4 lengths back, with Bank Guard third.
William Daugherty, Jr. trains Rising MVP, who boosted his career bankroll to $243,067, for Susan Daugherty.
In Friday’s companion feature, a $13,500 Conditioned Pace, Statham N prevailed in 1:53.3 for Tony Hall, trainer Sarah Andrews and owners Jeffrey Fought, Brian Carsey, David Fought and Casey Myers.
With three wins, Hall lifted his career total to 5,995.
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Monday when the program features a $97,281.02 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5 and a $2,666.54 carryover in the Pick 5 (races 2-6). First post for the 13-race card is 1:05 p.m.
(with files from The Meadows)