Border Fighting completed his sweep of the Dennis Sheehan Memorial Pace for three and four-year-old colts and geldings when he clicked off a sharp front-end score in Tuesday’s $25,200 championship at The Meadows
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Border Fighting came to the series off a victory in the Junior Trendsetter consolation at the Meadowlands, and he won his first two Sheehan divisions despite unfavorable posts. It was déjà vu all over again in Tuesday’s final as the three-year-old I Am A Fool-Magic Moments gelding blazed to the lead from post seven for Dave Palone and prevailed without a serious challenge in 1:53.2. The pocket-sitting Dunkirk Beach was second, with Spirits Gone Wild third.
Trainer Ron Burke, who purchased Border Fighting privately last year for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Joseph DiScala, Jr. and Cynthia Massari, said the youngster is not yet a finished product.
“He’s a fast horse, but he has to learn to refine his gait,” Burke said. “He’s showed spots of high speed but also spots where he needs to be steadied constantly. He still needs to improve to compete at a higher level.”
Burke said he’s pointing Border Fighting to another series at The Meadows and to Pennsylvania Sires Stakes thereafter.
“If it turns out he best fits the Stallion Series, we’ll still be happy with him,” Burke added.
In the $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot, 7-1 outsider Tiffany sat snugly in the pocket behind Hawaiianphotograph, then shot the Lightning Lane to edge that rival by a nose in 1:57.2. Digital Pix rallied for show.
Palone piloted Tiffany, a six-year-old daughter of Victory Sam-Honorable Heiress, for trainer Charlie Myers and owner John Strawser.
Tony Hall drove five winners on the 15-race card while Palone and Burke each enjoyed a triple.
(The Meadows)