Splendid reached the point with a quarter-pole move and never faced an anxious moment thereafter, easily capturing the $28,356 final of the Terry Altmeyer Memorial Trot for three-year-old colts and geldings on Friday, April 26 at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Sent off as the 1-2 favourite — in part because of the late sickness scratch of morning line pick Carrera Hanover — Splendid looked much the best, clicking off the back half in :57.4 and winning under wraps for Chris Lems in a career-best 1:55. The pocket-sitting Blockchain was second, beaten two lengths, while Andy B Worthy completed the ticket.
Todd Rooney trains the son of Father Patrick-Long Island Tea for Rooney Racing and Trotting For Bourbon.
In Friday’s $29,041 Open Handicap Trot, Jeffery P quarter-poled to the top and prevailed in 1:53.2 for Ronnie Wrenn Jr., trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura. The win by the nine-year-old Full Count-Betty Jean gelding lifted his career bankroll to $535,099. The first-over Killer Instinct was second, three parts of a length back, with Saint K third.
Dave Palone collected four wins on the 13-race program while Wrenn and trainer Brandon Presto enjoyed triples.
Saturday’s 12-race card at The Meadows features the $27,123 final of the Tom Kirwan Memorial Pace for three-year-old colts and geldings. On the wagering front, the program offers a $975.70 carryover in the Lucky7 (Race 3).
Also, because Saturday is the final day of the current race meeting, carryovers to the new meet beginning Wednesday are not permitted. Therefore, five wagers will have “must pay” status, with payout of entire net pools required. The must-pay wagers are the Lucky7 (Race 3), the Pick 5 (Race 8), the Late Pick 4 (Race 9), the Late Pentafecta (Race 12) and the day’s final Superfecta (Race 12). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)