In only his second lifetime start, Special Menu blazed to a front-end victory in 1:51.1 in the $15,000 championship of a Pop Up Series for freshman colt and gelding pacers on Saturday (July 15) at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Special Menu showed speed while winning his debut in 1:53, but this was a different kind of fast. He pocketed Aintbluenomore from the gate and, even after three-quarters in 1:23.2, threw down a :27.4 closing panel for Dave Palone. The son of Stay Hungry-All The Buzz downed Aintbluenomore by 1-1/4 lengths, with Fredericktown Lad third.
Brian Brown trains Special Menu for Hutchison Harness LLC.
In Saturday’s $19,300 Open Handicap Pace, Wild Wild Western turned back late challenges inside and outside to score in 1:49.1 for Mike Wilder, trainer Norm Parker and owners Jacobs Creek Racing, Andrew Altobelli and Jon Deters. It was the 38th victory in the distinguished career of the seven-year-old son of Western Ideal-Caila Fra and boosted his lifetime bankroll to $619,042. Double Metal and Risenshine Seaside completed the ticket.
Aaron Merriman and Palone each piloted three winners on the 12-race card.
Scott “Bomber” Betts and Redwhite N Goo waited patiently in the pocket, then easily outkicked Tom “Mayhem” Svrcek and Just Like Magic to capture Saturday’s $10,000 leg of the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) Trot.
Svrcek threw on the brakes in a :30.3 second panel that brought the field to the half in a slowish :59.1. But he couldn’t sprint away from Betts, who angled outside off the final turn and drew away to defeat Svrcek by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2. “I Dream of” Jeannie Rastetter (Garrett Scores) and “Soarin’” Lauren Harmon rounded out the ticket.
Betts also trains Redwhite N Goo, a five-year-old Googoo Gaagaa-Redwhitenbluestone gelding, who vaulted over $100,000 in lifetime earnings, for Tim Betts.
Live harness racing at The Meadows resumes on Wednesday, which features the draw for post positions for eliminations of the $400,000 (est.) Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids. Eliminations are set for Saturday, July 22, with the final to go the following Saturday. First post Wednesday is 12:45 p.m.
(MSOA)