Jillian B Miki rolled home in 1:53.4, knocking a remarkable 6.3 seconds from her lifetime mark, in Wednesday’s Donna Dunn Memorial Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Gray Skies captured the other $10,000 second-leg division and gave Dave Palone a sweep of the event.
The series $15,000-added championship is set for Wednesday, March 23.
A three-year-old daughter of Always B Miki-Sir Jillian Z Tam, Jillian B Miki raced exclusively at Pennsylvania fairs last year. But as the 4-5 favourite, she was ready for her close-up. She quarter-poled to the top for Palone and never let a rival get close, defeating early leader Irish Daydream by 1-1/2 lengths, while Bet Im Lucky rallied for show.
Tye Loy trains Jillian B Miki and co-owns with Rich Gillock.
Speaking of new lifetime marks, Gray Skies was no slouch in that area, lowering hers by 6.1 seconds in her 1:53.4 victory. The three-year-old daughter of Western Ideal-Gray Major experienced a slight shuffle after taking the early lead. But when Palone angled her off the cones at the top of the lane, she got up to down the first-over Somemiki Hanover by a half-length, with favourite Collusion Illusion third.
Scott Betts conditions Gray Skies for Tim Betts.
Jeremy Indof and Palone each collected three wins on the 11-race card.
Live harness racing at The Meadows continues Thursday when the 11-race program features a pair of carryovers — $24,590.25 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (race four), $3,974.87 in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m.
(MSOA)