Mogul Hanover and Partyatbartsplace each rolled to his third straight victory in Tuesday’s Walter Russell Memorial Pace at The Meadows, setting up a showdown in the championship of the series.
Mogul Hanover spurted to the lead from Post 7 for Dave Palone and thwarted the first-over challenge of Fly By Ry to triumph in a career-best 1:53.4. Energy Shakes shot the Lightning Lane for second, with Mattamerican third.
Paul Kennedy trains the four-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Mary Mattgalane gelding for Doug Ackerman.
Partyatbartsplace quarter-poled to the lead for Aaron Merriman and was in command thereafter, downing Dragontattooteen by three-quarters of a length in 1:54. Hickory Little Red rallied for show.
Chas Norris conditions Partyatbartsplace, a four-year-old Party At Artsplace-Miss Major Power gelding, for Thumbs Up Stable.
The final of the Walter Russell Memorial Pace, along with the championship legs of three other current Meadows’ series, is set for Friday, March 28 at 6:55 p.m.
In the $22,500 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot, TSM Photo Bugger charged through the Lightning Lane to head Tamarind in 1:54.1, equaling his lifetime mark. Mike The Trader completed the ticket. Aaron Merriman drove for trainer Jan Fread and owner/breeder Ted Tomson.
With the victory, the seven-year-old SJs Photo-Rewarding Wink gelding vaulted over $400,000 in career earnings.
Merriman drove four winners on the 15-race card while Palone and Brett Miller each fashioned a triple.
(The Meadows)