Atochia enjoyed perfect escort service from Biletnikoff, then blazed by that rival in the lane Monday to capture the $27,500 Preferred Handicap in 1:49.1, second-fastest mile ever paced at The Meadows
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Only three-year-old sensation Well Said paced faster when he won his Adios elimination in 1:49.
Split times for the mile, which also established a track record for four-year-old gelding pacers, were :26.1, :55 and 1:21.4. The game Biletnikoff was beaten only a neck, with War Boots a closing third. It was an especially tough loss for War Boots since it was his track record of 1:49.4 that Atochia erased.
Dave Palone drove Atochia for trainer Ron Burke and the partnership of Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables LLC and M1 Stable LLC. The gelded son of Dragon Again-Hot Shot Michelle pushed his career bankroll to $425,918.
Brett Miller drove four winners on the 16-race card while Kevin McDermott fashioned a training triple.
(The Meadows)