Windsong Leo pounced on the tiring leaders and blazed home in 1:48.2, fastest ever by an older pacing gelding at The Meadows, in Saturday’s $18,000 Open Handicap Pace. Tony Hall piloted six winners, including a pair for trainer Scott Betts, on the 13-race card.
While Carolina Beach and Summer Travel threw down suicidal fractions of :25.2 and :53.3 swapping the early lead, Dave Palone had Windsong Leo neatly tucked away behind them in third. When the seven-year-old son of Jeremes Jet-Windsong Goldie attacked first over, the leaders were powerless to resist.
Windsong Leo defeated Carolina Beach — who held the previous mark of 1:49.1 along with Atta Boy Dan, Escape The News and Reggiano — by four lengths, with the rallying R J P third.
Ron Burke conditions Windsong Leo, who soared over $500,000 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable, Phillip Collura and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. It was one of four victories on the program for Palone, including two for Burke.
Following a break, live racing at The Meadows resumes Saturday, Sept. 21, when The Meadows kicks off five straight programs featuring Keystone Classic stakes. First post is 1:05 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)