Commander Frank rolled to his second straight series win in the $12,500 second leg of the Terry Altmeyer Memorial for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Friday (April 21) at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Big Boy Ernest captured the other division, providing a second-leg sweep for trainer Norm Parker and owners Tom Brice, Bart Brice, Charles Receski and Ed Receski.
Commander Frank idled until the early dust settled, grabbing the lead for Mike Wilder at the quarter. From there, it was strictly no contest, as the son of Southwind Frank - Lady Athens defeated the rallying Fire N Lightning by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:54.4. HS Winchester completed the ticket.
Dwight Hanover stretched out Big Boy Ernest before the 1-2 favourite could reach the point. But Big Boy Ernest had plenty left for driver Drew Monti, as the International Moni - Woohoo Hanover gelding triumphed in a career-best 1:55.4. Lloyd Wright was second, 1-1/2 lengths lengths back, with Dwight Hanover third.
In Friday’s $21,200 Open Handicap Trot, Tequila Talkin shot the Lightning Lane to score in 1:52.1, a lifetime mark and fastest this year by an older gelding on a five-eighths-mile track. Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. piloted the eight-year-old son of Cantab Hall-Margarita Nights, who lifted his career earnings north of $400,000, for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Saint K and Emeralds Legacy rounded out the ticket.
Parker enjoyed a triple on the 12-care card. With two wins Friday, Wilder now boasts nine victories over the last three race programs.
Live harness racing at The Meadows continues Saturday, first post 12:45 p.m.
(MSOA)