Sandbetweenmytoes moved first over from fourth and overpowered the leader, A Fair Ol Dance N, to capture Friday’s $19,300 Open Handicap Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. But he had to share the spotlight with Dave Palone, as harness racing’s all-time “winningest” driver collected eight victories on the 13-race card.
Once Sandbetweenmytoes drew even with A Fair Ol Dance in the final turn, winning driver Brady Brown kicked out his earplugs. With that, the six-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Galleria gelding surged and drew off, defeating A Fair Ol Dance — and Palone — by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:51.2 over a “good” surface. Bee Two Bee finished third.
Dirk Simpson trains the winner, who now boasts a career bankroll of $664,160, for Greg Luther Racing LLC.
Palone achieved his eight wins and one place finish in 11 starts. It’s not his best performance ever on a single card, as he triumphed 11 times at The Meadows on April 21, 2008 and has tallied 10 victories on at least two other occasions.
Live harness racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a pair of carryovers: $2,563.35 in the Early Pick 4 (Race 1), $1,739.66 in the Early Pentafecta (Race 4). The Early Pick 4 carryover has prompted The Meadows and the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Initiative to guarantee that pool at $10,000. First post Wednesday is 12:45 p.m.
(MSOA)