Royal Heart gobbled up the leader with a first-over burst and rolled on to victory in Wednesday’s $20,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
Royal Heart was third down the backside when Eric Goodell tipped him off the cones. He swept by the leader, Atta Boy Dan, in a heartbeat and scored easily in a career-best 1:51.1. Atta Boy Dan regained his momentum and finished second, but was placed back to sixth for both interference and pylon violations. Mattamerican and Dew N Doughnuts were promoted to second and third, respectively.
Paul Kennedy trains Royal Heart, a four-year-old Royal Art-BJs Sunrise gelding who won for the sixth time in 13 starts this year, for Denise Dennis and Dolne Farm Services.
Dave Palone piloted four winners on the 13-race card, including Tom Hill's sophomore colt Joe Hill to a maiden-breaking 1:53.2 triumph in his season's debut. Ron Burke trains the Somebeachsomewhere-Boldnbrash Hanover colt, who is among the top 20 ranked North America Cup eligibles (at odds of 38-1) in Trot Magazine's Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book.
The Pennsylvania Sires Stakes season kicks off Friday at The Meadows with a $60,000 PA Stallion Series event for three-year-old filly pacers. First post is 12:55 p.m.
(With files from The Meadows)