Plagued by gaiting problems throughout his career, Well Schooled rewarded his connections’ patience Monday at the Meadows when he shot the Lightning Lane
to capture the $27,600 championship of the Ken Weaver Memorial Trot for three and four-year-old colts and geldings.
Well Schooled broke stride in each of the qualifying legs, slipping into the final with third and fifth-place finishes. Bill Zendt, who trains the four-year-old SJs Photo-Ivyleagueprincess gelding for Gary Saul, said the problem has been difficult to pinpoint.
“We’ve had a horrible time with him in the turns,” Zendt said. “We’ve worked on his knees, his hocks, his stifle, his right hind — you name it, we’ve tried it. It’s something we haven’t found yet. But he has some talent. I think he’s a 1:56, 1:57 trotter for sure if I ever get him straightened out. He had a pretty good day today.”
In the final, Well Schooled appeared to be trotting unsteadily in third, but he settled down for Dave Palone when they turned for home and brushed past Mr Caviar to score in a career-best 1:58.4. Mr Caviar saved second, with Handsome Photo a rallying third.
“The horse loves to do his work,” Palone said. “It’s just a matter of getting him around the track. I thought if I could keep him trotting I’d be first or second, but I didn’t know if I could get him around the last turn or not. When the inside opened up, that was perfect; I could just feed him racetrack.”
In the $22,500 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace, converted claimer Red Star Catch showed he belongs with the track’s elite by overpowering a good field with a front-end victory in 1:52. Object Of Art was second, while Allamerican Apache earned show money.
Brett Miller drove for owner/trainer Clay Faurot, Jr., who grabbed the six-year-old Art Major-Catch A Wave gelding from a February 28 $20,000 claimer. Since then, he was won three of four starts, with those victories by a combined 20-3/4 lengths. Red Star Catch now boasts career earnings of $185,321.
Miller drove four winners and Palone three on the 15-race card.
(The Meadows)