Trailing by as much as thirteen lengths, Valentowner was widest and fastest of all through the lane as he pulled off a 26-1 shocker in Tuesday’s $25,000 Preferred
Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
Dougs Fame, the 2-5 favourite as part of an entry, controlled the fractions, taking the field through three-quarters in a wicked 1:22.4. When he tired and broke stride, the dash home became a wide-open scramble. Even so, Valentowner seemed an unlikely winner, with six lengths to make up.
But Mike Wilder guided the five-year-old son of Towners Big Guy-Keys Valentine to the center of the track, where he blazed home in :27.2 and scored in a career-best 1:51.4. Southwind Go Go Go was a neck back in second, with Coldheartedrevenge third.
Jim Arledge, Jr. trains Valentowner, who pushed his career bankroll to $277,631 for owner Bob Key.
(The Meadows)