Wilberforce followed live cover, then exploded out of the final turn to capture Wednesday’s feature at The Meadows, an $11,500 conditioned trot.
Wilberforce was fifth down the backside when Dave Palone moved him behind the first-over Tall Cotton. When his cover stalled, the five-year-old Caviar Crown-Rose Run Imprint gelding went wide and found another gear, scoring in 1:54.3. Tricky Nick chased Wilberforce home to be second, two and a quarter lengths back, while Monte Cristo Spur rallied for show.
Kris Rickert conditions Wilberforce, who now boasts $180,786 in career earnings, and owns with Dale Wareham.
Aaron Merriman collected five wins on the 12-race card for as many trainers — Joelene Christman, Bill Daugherty,Jr., Sal Digati, Jeff Hochstetler and Bill Rhoades.
(The Meadows)