The career-long frustration of Mals Gal ended Wednesday at The Meadows. In her 72nd lifetime start, Mals Gal earned her maiden victory for James Calvin Dodson and owner/trainer Ron Lineweaver.
Most horses with lengthy records of futility are dismissed as “professional maidens,” but Mals Gal has been earning her keep. In those 71 winless outings, she finished second or third 34 times and banked $41,557. In Wednesday’s triumph, the five-year-old trotting daughter of Malabar Millennium-Maddie Hanover brushed wide in the lane to score in 2:02.4.
Daylon Miracle took the feature, a $20,000 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot, with a relentless first-over move that enabled her to wear down fellow Ontario-sired mare Magic Wheel and defeat her by two and a half lengths in 1:55.2. Vixy was a ground-saving third.
Aaron Merriman drove the five-year-old daughter of Pegasus Spur-Daylon Marvel for owner/trainer Bill Bercury. The victory was the second in a row for Daylon Miracle and extended her career bankroll to $280,965.
Mike Wilder drove three winners on the 15-race card.
(With files from The Meadows)