With nothing more than a qualifier on his career card, Doctor RJ performed like a seasoned veteran Tuesday at The Meadows, swooping the field three-wide down the backside and capturing a division of the Here We Go Again
Pace.
Unraced at two, Doctor RJ looked sharp in his March 30 qualifier at The Meadows. Even so, he was impressive as he sailed past the tiring leaders for Eric Ledford and triumphed in 1:54. TSM Warhol T was second, with Up Front Dan third.
Paul Kennedy trains the Real Artist-Informant gelding for owner/breeder Markus Ernst.
Rage N Ryan (1:53.4), Dungeon Dragon (1:55.3) and Cyrus Seelster (1:55.1) also took $15,000 splits in the opening leg of the series for three-year-old colts and geldings.
In the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Pace, Meirs Hanover notched his third straight win for Dave Palone, trainer Ron Burke and owners David Van Dusen, Michael Cimaglio and Strollin Stable, scoring on the front end in 1:51.3. In each of those victories, Jojo N Goliath has finished a frustrating second, falling a neck short Tuesday. Star Party completed the ticket.
A five-year-old son of Artsplace-Mary Mattgalane, Meirs Hanover now boasts $371,694 in lifetime earnings.
Brett Miller and Palone each drove three winners on the 15-race program.
(The Meadows)