Parked in a 26.4 opening quarter before reaching the front, Spreester showed her toughness when she thwarted a pair of challengers and captured Monday’s $18,000 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
Aaron Merriman gave the five-year-old daughter of American Ideal-Rodeo Spree a second panel breather, enabling her to fend off the determined first-over bid of Southwind Roulette. Spreester dug even deeper to parry the Lightning Lane thrust of the pocket-sitting Certified Ideal and down her by a nose in 1:51.4. Southwind Roulette finished a game third. Bill Bercury trains Spreester, who now boasts $480,856 in career earnings, for Renee Bercury.
Dave Palone piloted four winners and Merriman three on the 14-race card. With one victory on the program, Mike Wilder pushed his career total to 6,998.
(The Meadows)