He didn’t race as a freshman, but the 3-year-old Whiskey Blu has been making up for lost time ever since. On Thursday (March 11) at The Meadows, he won his sixth race in as many career starts by blowing away the field in a division of the Dale McConnell Memorial Trot.
The Great PG took the other $10,000 second-leg split in the series for three-year-old trotting colt and geldings.
Dan Charlino didn’t rush Whiskey Blu, allowing him to settle third before making the point with a quarter-pole move. The Southwind Frank-Kendall Blue gelding cruised home in 1:56.2 over a “good” surface, six-and-a-half lengths better than Full Review, with Conrad J third.
Whiskey Blu has won his six races by a combined 21-and-three-quarter lengths for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Kitefield Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
The Great PG, a four-year-old Cantab Hall-Alix Hall gelding, enjoyed a :32 breather and was untouchable from there, scoring in 1:59.3 for Aaron Merriman, trainer Dana Kahrig and owner Island Sun Stable. Laramie and Alberts Dream completed the ticket.
Thursday’s card also featured the second leg of the Mary Wohlmuth Memorial Trot for three- and four-year-old fillies and mares, which saw Rebecca and Graymatter Hanover capture the $10,000 divisions. It was the second consecutive series win—and third-straight victory overall—for Rebecca, who bore out late but still scored in 1:57.3 for trainer/driver David Wade. Real Diamonds K and Caramel Macchiato rounded out the ticket. Wade and Gerald Brittingham bred and own the 4-year-old daughter of Explosive Matter-SJs Minolta.
Graymatter Hanover went wide through the final turn to prevail in 1:58.1 and spring the 9-1 upset for Brian Zendt, trainer Bill Zendt and owners Gary Saul and Frank Van Atta. Wonmyheart Hanover and Guard My Heart finished second and third, respectively, behind the four-year-old daughter of Explosive Matter-Grammy Hall.
The $15,000-added championships of the McConnell and the Wohlmuth are set for Thursday, March 16.
Dave Palone collected five wins on the 13-race card, including a pair for trainer Randy Bendis, while Tony Hall fashioned a three-bagger.
Live racing at The Meadows continues Friday (March 12), first post 12:45 p.m. (EST).
(The Meadows)