Windsong Leo reeled off the back half in a swift :54.4, quashing any hopes of those chasing him, en route to a dominating victory in Friday’s $20,000 Open Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
Windsong Leo’s opening half was no slouch either — :55.2 from post eight in sub-freezing temperatures — and when he quickened thereafter, there was little doubt who was best. The eight-year-old Jeremes Jet-Windsong Goldie gelding scored for Dave Palone in 1:50.1, two lengths better than Dancin Dragon, with Macadoodledoo third.
Windsong Leo won for the fifth time in seven starts this year and pushed his career bankroll to $651,505 for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura.
Trainer Dirk Simpson enjoyed a four-bagger on the 13-race card while Aaron Merriman, Burke and Palone each fashioned a triple.
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Monday when the program features a $6,020.53 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5 and a $5,000 total-pool guarantee in the Pick 4 (races three through six). First post is 1:05 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)