Drift Away moved powerfully first over and went on to a comfortable victory in Tuesday’s opening leg of the Winter Claiming Series for $20,000 claiming trotters at The Meadows.
Drift Away had been hampered by post 8 or 9 for five consecutive starts, when he felt compelled to try for the early lead. On Tuesday, the nine-year-old Trojan Touch-Frances Maxine gelding settled in sixth before getting underway for Tony Hall. He scored in 1:57.3 over a sloppy surface, 1-1/4 lengths better than the rallying Queens Lonely Earl, with Pembroke Castaway third.
Andy Rickert trains Drift Away, who extended his career bankroll to $316,623, for Mark Jakubik and Tessa Roland.
Pittstop Kip shot the Lightning Lane to take the other $15,000 opening-leg split.
Tuesday’s card also featured three opening-leg divisions of the Winter Claiming Series for $10,000 claiming trotters, with Mateo M, Crazy Eyes and Skyway Cruiser each capturing $8,000 splits.
Elsewhere on the program, Bessie was ahead at every pole for the second consecutive start as she prevailed handily in 1:55.2 in the $22,500 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/ Preferred Handicap Trot. The pocket-sitting Cowgirl Hall was second, 1-3/4 lengths back, while Scented Roses closed well for show.
Jim Pantaleano piloted the five-year-old daughter of Equinox Bi-Cantabs Chorine, who vaulted over $200,000 in lifetime earnings, for trainer Rick Clapper and owners Paula Clapper, Umholtz Racing Stable and Kennedy Sports Corp.
Pantaleano collected five wins and Hall three on the 15-race card.
(The Meadows)