Undefeated Curtsy Hanover stalked Chiptomylou until deep stretch, then blew by to capture the fastest division of Wednesday’s Trotslikethewind Trot at The Meadows.
The opening leg of the series for three-year-old filly trotters was contested over three divisions, with Promisemethis and Glidetowin taking the other $11,250 splits. That pair gave driver Dan Rawlings, trainer Rick Beinhauer and owners Rick and Regina Beinhauer opening-leg doubles. The series is named for Trotslikethewind, a fast-class trotting mare still active at The Meadows.
A Saratoga Raceway invader who won her only two previous starts for trainer Paul Kelley and owners Kelley Racing Stable and Stable 45, Curtsy Hanover got away alertly for Dave Palone, but was content to settle into the pocket. The daughter of Cantab Hall-Chiptease was the stronger filly late, downing Chiptomylou — another Beinhauer trainee — by a neck in 1:57.3 to knock three seconds from her lifetime mark. Gliding To Glory was third.
In the $18,000 Preferred Handicap Pace, D Mac got his fifth straight win in eye-popping fashion. Parked beyond the quarter in a blistering :26, he still had plenty of pop when Mike Wilder pulled him from the pocket at the three-quarters and scored in a career-best 1:50.2. The pacesetting Hugadragon was second, two and a quarter lengths back, with Tuneariffic third. Dane Snyder trains the four-year-old McArdle-Art Amour gelding for Bret Greiner, John Valdisera and Joseph Fortunato.
Mike Wilder drove four winners and Palone three on the 12-race card.
(The Meadows)