Green Magic peeled off cover past the three-quarters and brushed wide through the sloppy lane to spring a 19-1 upset in Saturday’s feature at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, a $21,781 conditioned trot.
Up in class off a claim, Green Magic was sixth down the backside when he picked up the live first-over cover of Stay Close. When that one stalled, Ronnie Wrenn Jr. sent Green Magic wide and asked him for trot. The five-year-old Chapter Seven-Vandys Magic gelding exploded in the stretch and roared past the leader, Saint K, defeating him by a half length in 1:55.1 over a sloppy surface. Buck Nome rallied from last for show.
Kaylee Martin trains Green Magic and owns with Jodi Martin. The trotter has won three races in a row for three different connections and now has 13 victories lifetime from 50 starts with $95,972 earned.
Wrenn and Dave Palone each collected four wins on the 13-race card while trainer Ron Burke enjoyed a triple.
Family, friends, associates and admirers of the late Mickey Burke Sr. gathered in the The Meadows winner's circle after Saturday’s 11th race to pay tribute to the patriarch of one of harness racing’s most successful families ever.
Burke Sr. passed away on Monday at the age of 87. Among his career highlights, he was named U. S. Trainer of the Year in 2006 and he became the first trainer to surpass $10 million USD in purses in a single season. Today, Burke Racing Stable, operated by Burke Sr.'s family, has continued and extended his success. It’s topped the North American trainer statistics every year since 2005.
During the winner's circle ceremony, The Meadows played a video for its live and streaming audiences showing highlights of Burke Sr.’s career.
Fittingly, Burke Racing Stable and partners Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Larry Karr and Phillip Collura won race 11 with South Point.
Live harness racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a $550.39 carryover in the Pick 5 (Race 9). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)