Lifeintheslammer extended her winning streak to six, but she needed all the determination and guile she could muster to capture Thursday's $10,000 second leg of the Mary Wohlmuth Memorial Trot for three- and four-year-old filly and mare trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Lifeintheslammer was dominant in the first five wins of her streak, but on Thursday, she faced a serious challenge from Margaretaville, who moved first-over, dropped back to the pylons for a breather, and charged through the Lightning Lane. Lifeintheslammer responded to Dave Palone’s urging and downed Margaretaville by a head in 1:55.3, with Mensa — Margaretaville’s stablemate — third.
Scott Betts trains Lifeintheslammer, a four-year-old daughter of Royalty For Life-Tequila Slammer, for Tim Betts, Tar Heel Racing and Stephen Moss.
In Thursday’s second leg of the Dale McConnell Memorial Trot for three- and four-year-old horses, colts and geldings, Hurrikane Willie G turned in a powerful front-end victory in 1:55.4. Jim Pantaleano drove the for-year-old Donato Hanover-Housethatruthbuilt gelding, who won for the fourth time in his last five starts, for trainer Christen Pantaleano and owner Morrison Racing Stables. Infinity Stone and Charlatan Hanover completed the ticket.
In the other $10,000 division, Armani controlled the fractions to score his maiden-breaker in 2:01.2 for Ridge Warren and trainer Norm Parker, who owns the three-year-old Father Patrick-Majestic Style gelding with George Romanoff and Susan Altobelli. Classic Sorce and Just The Facts finished second and third, respectively.
In the $17,600 Open Handicap Trot, Rising MVP overcame a brutal trip — he was three-wide before the three-quarters — to edge Perlucky by a head in 1:54. Aaron Merriman piloted the seven-year-old My MVP-Nutmegs Winner gelding, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $399,629, for trainer Bill Daugherty Jr. and owner Susan Daugherty.
Ridge Warren collected three wins on the 11-race card.
Live racing at The Meadows continues Friday when the 11-race program features a pair of carryovers — $25,743.88 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (race four), $5,287.97 in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m.
(With files from MSOA)