The Meadows brought down the curtain Monday on its 2019 live racing season with an action-packed card that featured the championships of five Holiday Claiming Series and wagering fireworks in the Super Hi-5.
The Super Hi-5 jackpot stood at $105,000.96 following Saturday’s carryover. Fueled by frenzied Monday wagering, however, the jackpot swelled to $323,614, by far a record for the Super Hi-5 at The Meadows. Ordinarily, the jackpot is paid only if there is a single correct ticket. But because the pool could not be carried over to next year and had to be paid out, the jackpot was shared by all holders of correct tickets, who each received $366.78
On the racing front Big Dutch and Cherry Peep each pulled off a mild upset in a series final.
In a $24,000 championship for $20,000 claiming horse and gelding pacers, Big Dutch was forced to a :26.4 opening panel to reach the lead but picked up cover thereafter. He had enough left to edge Enoch by a head in 1:53 for Tony Hall, trainer Mike Palone and owners Charles Haley and Mitchell Fini. BBs Harley completed the ticket.
A seven-year-old Jeremes Jet-Big Duchess gelding, Big Dutch now boasts lifetime earnings of $144,773.
Cherry Peep prevailed in the $24,500 championship for $20,000 claiming trotters, holding off the determined challenge of her stablemate, Mac Deeno, and downing him by a half-length margin in 1:56. Aaron Merriman piloted the four-year-old daughter of Conway Hall-Jenny On The Block, who extended her career earnings to $153,848. Andy Rickert trains and owns Cherry Peep with Corey Hendricks and Nichole Stahl.
Mr Quaker completed a series sweep when he quarter-poled to the point for Dave Palone and held off the late rally of Just Jewel to down him by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.2 Parnell completed the ticket.
Mike Palone conditions Mr Quaker, a four-year-old Pilgrims Chuckie-Julia Jet gelding who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $139,874, for J.R. Ryan and Collin Ryan.
Here Comes Stubbie took advantage of a hot pace to register his first win of the year in 15 tries. He moved three wide with cover down the backside for Aaron Merriman and triumphed in 1:55, a length better than Nobetterplacetobe. Innocent Victim shot the Lightning Lane for show.
Jack Smith trains the five-year-old Pine Valley-Maggie Hanover gelding, who vaulted over $100,000 in career earnings, and owns with Bob Adamo.
The Spinster N made a power move down the backside and romped to victory for Merriman, trainer Justin Pirillo and owners Vince Aiello and Scott Aiello. The seven-year-old daughter of American Ideal-Millwood Bella scored in 1:55.2 over 60-1 long shot Unbeamlievable, with Strong Coffee third.
The Spinster N pushed her career bankroll to $148,925.
Mike Wilder, Palone and Merriman each enjoyed a triple on the 13-race card.
The 2020 season at The Meadows kicks off Monday, Jan. 6, first post 1:05 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)