Jeffery P cut comfortable fractions on top, leaving him with enough in reserve to fend off a late challenger and capture the $26,301 Open Handicap Trot on Thursday, May 30 at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
When Ronnie Wrenn Jr. gave Jeffery P a leisurely :58 half, that pretty much doomed the back markers. About the only credible threat remaining was Killer Instinct, who pulled the pocket into the final turn and attacked the leader. But the nine-year-old Full Count-Betty Jean gelding needed only moderate urging from Wrenn to defeat Killer Instinct by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55. Commander Frank and Buck Nome dead-heated for show.
Ron Burke trains Jeffery P, who now has won 49 races and $551,736 in his career, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura.
The victory was one of six wins for Wrenn on the 13-race card, including four for Burke.
Elsewhere on Wednesday’s card, Miloandhunter, who began his career with 56 straight losses, ended his futility streak when he took a $12,329 conditioned pace in 1:58.2 for Justin Walters, trainer Steven Walters and owner Mike Gillock.
The Friday, May 31 card at The Meadows features a pair of stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters: a $145,572 USD leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and a $100,000 USD leg of the PA Stallion Series. On the wagering front, the 13-race program offers an $819.82 carryover in the Pick 5 (Race 9). First post is 5:10 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)