Desperate for late racing room, Automatic Slims poured through a narrow opening Friday and captured a $15,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life Pace at The Meadows.
With his main rival penned up, Rockin The House appeared to have the race wrapped up. But Brett Miller guided Automatic Slims to clearance and the eight-year-old son of Bettors Delight-Natchitoches roared to a head victory in 1:52.3 on a 'good' track -- although he had to survive an inquiry into possible interference during the decisive move. Drumfire A was third.
Brewer Adams trains Automatic Slims, who has won four of his last five starts, for Laurie Patistas.
Miller also took the companion Winners Over $10,000 Life feature with Ballistic Tip by one and a quarter lengths over Im Banksy, with Sonic Dancer third.
Andy Rickert conditions Ballistic Tip, a four-year-old son of Real Desire-Ladybrightkillean, for Thomas O’Donnell.
Miller and Dave Palone each drove four winners on the 15-race card.
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, its horsemen and horsewomen paid tribute Friday to the late Mike Jeannot, the president of Meadows Racing who died last week after battling liver cancer.
Jeannot had been with The Meadows almost continuously since 1991, serving as director of OTB operations, vice president of operations and vice president of government relations prior to becoming president in 2009.
In a moving ceremony, the track’s driver/trainer colony, in full colours, walked from the paddock to the winner's circle, lead by a driverless horse and sulky. They were joined in the winner's circle by dozens of The Meadows’ employees.
In his remembrance, Pastor Joe DiDonato, track chaplain, described Jeannot as a man of “passion and compassion.” As if to demonstrate that, a number of fans joined the gathering in the winner's circle to help honour the memory of a man who touched their lives.
(The Meadows)