Up Front Dan followed his stablemate’s cover beautifully Tuesday en route to victory in a sharp 1:54.3 — over a good surface — in the Walter Russell Memorial at The Meadows.
Up Front Dan was roughed up as a trailer in the opening leg, parked out on two occasions but still finishing a game second. On Tuesday, Dave Palone worked out a much kinder trip for him as he used the live cover of Uncle Elmer to triumph by 1-3/4 lengths over the pocket-sitting The FF Jasper. Lebron Hall rallied for show. Ron Burke was prominent in the race as the trainer of Up Front Dan, Uncle Elmer and Lebron Hall.
Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Ed Mullinax own Up Front Dan, a four-year-old Dragon Again-Shes A Daisy gelding. Palone and Burke teamed for three wins on the 15-race card while Tony Hall fashioned a driving triple.
The second leg of the series for three- and four-year-old colt and gelding pacers was conducted over three divisions, with Garys Party (1:55.3) and Backdraft Hanover (1:55.3) taking the other $11,250 splits.
(The Meadows)