Keystone Chaos roared past the front-stepping Locatelli in deep stretch to capture Thursday’s (Dec. 29) $19,300 Open Handicap Trot at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Locatelli, who last week trotted in 1:50.4 to match the track record for older males at Woodbine Mohawk Park, was stuck outside for the first three-eighths before he could cross over to the lead. Despite that demanding trip, the horses closest to him could not get by him in the lane.
But then Keystone Chaos entered the picture. The five-year-old Andover Hall-Keystone Cola gelding was fourth by three lengths at the three-quarters. But when Brian Zendt cut him loose, he gained steadily on Locatelli and downed him by three-quarter lengths in 1:53.3 over a “good” surface. Long shot Windsong Patriot completed the ticket.
Jim Daugherty trains Keystone Chaos, who won for the 12th time this year and pushed his career bankroll to $238,953, for Michele Daugherty.
Hunter Myers collected four wins and Brian Zendt three on the 13-race card.
Live racing at The Meadows continues Friday (Dec. 30), the final card of 2022, when The Meadows will offer a pair of pool guarantees — $10,000 for the final-race Super Hi-5, $5,000 for the Pick 5 (Race 4). The guarantees are offered in association with the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Initiative.
Because Friday is the final day of the current race meeting with no carryovers permitted, payouts are mandatory, meaning that all those with winning tickets in the Super Hi-5 and Pick 5 will share in the proceeds. This also applies to the Late Pick 4 (Race 10) and the final Superfecta of the program.
The card also offers a $2,288.39 carryover in the Early Pick 4 (Race 2). First post for Friday’s 14-race program is 12:45 p.m. (EST).