Summertime Yankee willingly accepted cover early, then powered through the lane to capture Tuesday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows in 1:54.3, the fastest this year by an older mare on
a five-eighths-mile track.
Summertime Yankee yielded the point to Photo Fantasy past the quarter, but under Aaron Merriman’s urging, she blew by that rival in the stretch to triumph by a head. Nickie K charged through the Lightning Lane for third.
Bill Bercury owns and trains Summertime Yankee, an eight-year-old daughter of SJs Photo-Summa Hanover who now boasts $543,917 in career earnings.
The Meadows and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association honoured Merriman, who notched his 5,000th career win Monday at Northfield Park, with a special winner's circle presentation.
Dave Palone drove six winners — three for trainer Ron Burke — on the 15-race card.
(The Meadows)