Windsong Leo withstood the furious Lightning Lane drive of Carolina Beach and collected his third straight victory in Thursday’s $16,000 Open Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Carolina Beach looped Windsong Leo from the gate, but the nine-year-old Jeremes Jet-Windsong Goldie gelding persevered until reaching the point. When Dave Palone gave Windsong Leo a 30 second-quarter breather, he was refreshed and able to hold off Carolina Beach by a half-length in 1:52. Jahan Hanover completed the ticket.
Ron Burke trains Windsong Leo, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $816,522, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura.
Elsewhere on Thursday’s card, just eight days from his mandatory retirement, 14-year-old Dream Out Loud N won his 20th race this year — and ninth in a row — to move back into a tie with Winning Shadow for North America’s “winningest” horse of 2021... and boost his career earnings to 1,102,413. Palone drove for trainer Marcus Marashian, who owns the Bettors Delight-Nothin Butadreamer gelding with Tina Porfilio.
Palone notched four wins and Brian Zendt three on the 13-race card.
Following a Christmas break, live racing at The Meadows resumes Tuesday, first post 12:45 p.m.
(With files from MSOA)