Forced to come first over into pedestrian fractions, Mattwestern turned on the after-burners to capture a division of Friday’s My Drag Queen Pace at The Meadows.
Doubelieveinmagic took the other $12,500 third leg split in the series for three-year-old fillies. The $20,000 (est.) series final is set for Friday, May 3.
Things looked bleak for Mattwestern when she got away fifth and saw the front half in a leisurely :59. But Dave Palone had the daughter of Western Terror-Mattonement moving at the three-eighths and steadily gaining ground. She wore down the leader, R Marie Hanover, and prevailed in 1:55.2. Shy Dragon K rallied for second, a neck back, while R Marie Hanover saved show.
Ron Burke trains Mattwestern, who has been first or second in all seven starts this year, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. It was one of three training victories for Burke on the 12-race card.
Doubelieveinmagic also needed a big rally, as she trailed by four lengths at the three-quarters. She brushed wide for Dick Stillings and scored her initial win in the series in 1:55.1, a neck better than JVZ Dream. La D Da Hanover was third.
Bruce Riegle trains the daughter of Western Terror-Hawaiian Beachlady for Winchester Baye Acres.
(The Meadows)