Floundering outside for most of the opening quarter, Brenway Dixie found her best stride late and captured her division in Tuesday’s second leg of the Winter Claiming Series for $20,000 claiming trotters at The Meadows. Pembroke Castaway took the other $15,000 second-leg split.
Jim Pantaleano sent Brenway Dixie, the only mare in the field, for the early lead, but had to wrangle her back to fifth when she was parked out. Despite her early frustration, Brenway Dixie followed the live cover of Quillz and brushed through the lane to score in 1:57.3 over a sloppy surface. Early leader Pittstop Kip was second, a length back, with Otto third.
Jack Smith trains Brenway Dixie, a six-year-old daughter of Oaklea Julian-Oaklea Penny, who extended her career bankroll to $230,460, for Bob Adamo.
Pembroke Castaway reached the front with a three-wide, quarter-pole move and coasted from there, prevailing in 1:58.2, two and three-quarter lengths better than the pocket-sitting Billie Jo. Dizzy Rizzy earned show.
Aaron Merriman piloted the five-year-old Current Cast-Phoenicia Hanover gelding, who now boasts $181,393 in lifetime earnings, for owner/trainer Randy Bendis.
Tuesday’s card also featured the second leg of the Winter Claiming Series for $10,000 claiming trotters, with Parnell (Pantaleano) and Bob N Tony (Dave Palone) each taking an $8,000 split. The championships for both series are set for Tuesday, Feb. 23.
Pantaleano collected five wins and Merriman three on the 15-race program.
(With files from The Meadows)