Dew A Little Dance powered to the lead at the quarter and rolled to an unchallenged victory in Friday’s $25,600 championship of the Walter Russell Memorial Pace at The Meadows, completing his sweep of the series for three and four-year-old colts, stallions and geldings.
When Tony Hall put Dew A Little Dance in the two-hole from the gate, it marked the only time the four-year-old A Rocknroll Dance-Artbitration gelding was behind in the series. But Hall soon had him on the move, and the 2-5 favourite had little trouble scoring in 1:53.1 over a “good” surface. Wild Wild Western was second, 2-3/4 lengths back, with Touch Of The West third.
Tom Klosky Jr. bred and owns Dew A Little Dance, who extended his winning streak to four.
Friday’s card also featured the finals of three other series for three and four-year-olds, with each contested over a sloppy track.
Among the highlights:
$28,300 Ken Weaver Memorial Trot — Colts, Stallions & Geldings
Brian Zendt could have taken an early seat with Explosive Magic, but he chose to press on to the lead. He could have released Cash Hit when that rival challenged past the quarter, but he put the pedal to the metal instead.
Zendt knew exactly what he was doing, as Explosive Magic opened a six-length lead as the field turned for home and triumphed by 7-1/2 lengths in 1:57.1. Bellsandwhistles rallied from ninth for place while Kidswillbefeisty earned show.
Dirk Simpson conditions the three-year-old Explosive Matter-Magical Paige gelding for Dirk Simpson Stable and Lawrence Barnett.
$28,000 Mary Wohlmuth Memorial Trot — Fillies & Mares
Lindy Misssunshine garnered her previous series win on the front. On Friday’s tiring track, however, trainer/driver Wilbur Yoder was content to sit fifth and save his filly’s brush for late.
The strategy worked beautifully, as the three-year-old daughter of Explosive Matter-Mimosa Leader was freshest in the stretch, defeating Revival by 1-3/4 lengths in a career-best 1:58.2. The first-over Gypsyrose Devie completed the ticket.
Richard Hess campaigns Lindy Misssunshine.
$23,800 Donna Dunn Memorial Pace — Fillies & Mares
Mystical Thread showed talent aplenty in winning the opening leg, but she also demonstrated gaiting problems, breaking stride in the next leg. In the championship, she was all talent and no problems, roaring to the top for Dave Palone and prevailing in 1:56.1, a life mark.
The first-over Walk On Air was second, beaten three lengths, while Flipping Fun rallied for show.
J.W. Miller trains the four-year-old daughter of Fred And Ginger-Threads Of Life for Kahrig Racing Stable and Caleb Little.
Mike Wilder piloted three winners on the 12-race card. Live racing at The Meadows resumes Monday, first post 1:05 p.m.
(The Meadows)