Unheralded at 11-1, Splendid shot the Lightning Lane to spring the upset in Friday’s Terry Altmeyer Memorial Trot at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows -- snapping Carrera Hanover’s five-race winning streak in the process. Andy B Worthy took the other $17,123 second-leg division in the series for three-year-old colts and geldings.
Chris Lems hustled Splendid to the top from post seven, but the pair released Carrera Hanover and stalked him from the pocket. As the field turned for home and Lems pointed him inside, the son of Father Patrick-Long Island Tea blitzed past the weakening favourite and triumphed in 1:57, a lifetime mark. Longshot Blockchain was a ground-saving second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths, while Carrera Hanover saved show.
Todd Rooney conditions Splendid for Rooney Racing and Trotting For Bourbon. The win was the trotting colt's first in three sophomore starts and marked his third career victory from a dozen races.
Andy B Worthy wrested the early lead from Swanstead, then held off challenges from Korkscrew and Yen Hanover to score by three-quarters of a length for Brady Brown in a career-best 1:57.2. Yen Hanover and Korkscrew completed the ticket.
Roger Hammer trains Andy B Worthy and owns with Vicki Lynn Fair. The Andover Hall-Penn Worthy Lane colt earned his first seasonal score in his fifth attempt and now has four career victories from 23 starts.
In Friday’s $23,301 Open Handicap Trot, Killer Instinct moved confidently to the point at the quarter and was much the best from there, prevailing by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:54.3 for his third win in 11 seasonal starts. Jeremy Indof piloted the six-year-old Southwind Frank-Wheely Quick gelding, who now boasts a lifetime bankroll just shy of $400,000 and 38 career victories, for trainer Melanie O’Donnell, co-owner with Corey Hendricks. Emeralds Legacy and Jeffery P rounded out the ticket.
Ronnie Wrenn Jr. collected three wins on the 13-race card, including a pair for trainer Ron Burke.
Live harness racing at The Meadows continues on Saturday when the 13-race program features a $631.10 carryover in the Lucky7 (Race 3). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)