Joygo let Donzel Hanover do the heavy lifting on the front end, then kicked by him in the Lightning Lane to spring a 10-1 upset in Thursday’s feature at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, a $13,600 conditioned trot.
The 1-5 favourite, Donzel Hanover was strong enough to discourage any outside challenges, but the danger lurked right behind him. Once Justin Walters pointed Joygo inside, the four-year-old Nuncio-Eleventeen gelding easily overtook Donzel Hanover, downing him by two lengths in a career-best 1:53.1. Swan Trixie earned show.
Lance Barber trains Joygo and owns with Sonya Barber.
Anthony MacDonald piloted three winners on the 12-race card, including a pair for trainer Kevin Johnson, while Dave Palone also enjoyed a triple.
Friday’s card at The Meadows features a pair of stakes for freshman colt and gelding trotters: a $157,760 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes and an $80,000 PA Stallion Series event. First post is 5:10 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)