Even though Wild Wild Western captured Saturday’s $16,000 Open Handicap Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows for his fourth straight win, he had to share the spotlight with the place finisher.
That was none other than Dorsoduro Hanover, who with his $4,000 cheque, passed US$2 million in career earnings, a milestone few Standardbreds achieve. The seven-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Deer Valley Miss gelding was the three-year-old male Pacer of the Year in 2018, a season that saw him win the Breeders Crown and the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids while finishing second in the Little Brown Jug and the Meadowlands Pace.
Dorsoduro Hanover now boasts 22 wins in 87 lifetime starts and a bankroll of $2,003,135 for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Wingfield Five LLC.
In the Open Handicap, Wild Wild Western continued his domination of The Meadows’ elite pacers, seating Dorsoduro Hanover early and keeping him there throughout. He prevailed in 1:51 for Mike Wilder, three parts of a length better than Dorsoduro Hanover, with Prince Of Tides third.
Norm Parker conditions the six-year-old son of Western Ideal-Caila Fra, who lifted his lifetime earnings to $430,885, for Jacobs Creek Racing, Andrew Altobelli and Jon Deters.
In Saturday’s co-feature, the $12,500 second leg of the Tom Kirwan Memorial Pace for three-year-old colts and geldings, Loukes Perry looped the field with an uncovered move from sixth and triumphed in a career-best 1:52.3 for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. The Sweet Lou-Lucys Pearl gelding hadn’t raced since Nov. 20, but he had little trouble overpowering his stablemate, Good Deal, and snapping that one’s three-race winning streak.
World For Two closed well for second, beaten 2-1/2 lengths, while Good Deal held show. Burke, who sent out four starters in the seven-horse field, trains Loukes Perry for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Elizabeth Novak and Howard Taylor. Earlier in the day, Loukes Perry's full-brother Lous Pearlman was also victorious in qualifying action at The Meadowlands
Burke and Wrenn teamed for four victories on the 11-race card while Wilder also enjoyed a four-bagger.
Live harness racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a pair of carryovers — $7,164.24 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (race 4), $1,055.90 in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m.
(MSOA)