Done Well seized the lead with a swift 26.3 opening panel in the slop, and he found the wire just in time to capture Friday’s $16,000 Open Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
With a two-length lead turning for home, Done Well appeared to have the race in hand. But with the formidable Macadoodledoo bearing down, the six-year-old Well Said-Dagnabit Hanover gelding had to dig in for Dave Palone to hold off Macadoodledoo by a half-length margin in 1:51.2. Prince Of Tides completed the ticket.
Ron Burke trains the winner, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $565,283, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby and Wingfield Brothers LLC.
Driver Eric Goodell, whose raingear was unavailable, had to perform with colours borrowed from Chris Shaw. He may want to make Shaw an offer for the set, as Goodell collected four wins on the 14-race card. Tony Hall notched three victories.
One of the evening’s most exciting finishes didn’t come in a harness race. Instead, it occurred when Thor God of Thunder rumbled through the stretch to win the wiener dog competition coordinated by the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association to help kick off “Adios Season.” Only two, Thor performed like a seasoned veteran for his owner, Mackenzie Stutler.
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a $20,557.99 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5. Also on Wednesday, The Meadows will draw for post positions for the Saturday, July 24 eliminations of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)