Wu Long continued her march through the Mary Wohlmuth Memorial Trot at The Meadows, winning her third straight with a powerful first-over explosion and stamping herself as the clear favourite for the final.
Main Gate Tam and Byfleet Hanover took the other $12,000 divisions in Wednesday’s third leg of the series for three- and four-year-old fillies and mares.
The championship legs of the Mary Wohlmuth and three other current series at The Meadows are set for Friday, March 27, first post 6:55 p.m.
Wu Long was fourth down the backside when Dave Palone asked her for trot. She inhaled the leader, Mercer County, and drew off to triumph by 5-1/4 lengths in a career-best 1:58.1. Miss E Claire rallied for place while Mercer County saved show.
Rob Harmon trains the four-year-old daughter of Explosive Matter-Strong Tea, who has won her three series splits by a combined 14-1/4 lengths, for Harmon Racing Stable and Knightstalker Stable.
In the $22,500 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace, Sweet Talkin Satin pounced on the dueling leaders at the three-quarters and held off newcomer Hillbilly Hanover by 1-3/4 lengths to score in 1:50.3, fastest mile this year at The Meadows. Atta Boy Dan, hung every step from post nine, was a game third.
Eric Ledford piloted the five-year-old Always A Virgin-Silky Satin gelding, who extended his career bankroll to $367,489, for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, J&T Silva Stables and Phillip Collura.
Tony Hall, Aaron Merriman, Jim Pantaleano, Dan Rawlings, Ledford and Palone each enjoyed a double on the 14-race card.
(The Meadows)