Wild Wild Western threw down a wild :25.4 opening panel but needed the Lightning Lane to capture Saturday’s $28,649 Open Handicap Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
After that sizzling first quarter, Wild Wild Western yielded the front to Later Dudes and stalked him from the pocket. In the stretch, Wild Wild Western and Mike Wilder got the jump on the rallying Surreal Ideal and edged him by a head in 1:49.1, a tick off the track record for older horses and geldings. Liteningonthebeach finished third.
Norm Parker trains the eight-year-old son of Western Ideal-Caila Fra, who has 44 wins and $718,173 in career earnings, for Jacobs Creek Racing LLC, Andrew Altobelli and Jon Deters.
Hunter Myers collected four wins and Aaron Merriman three on the 13-race card.
The Meadows is dark the week of Sept. 16 to allow for track maintenance. When racing resumes at 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, that card will kick off seven straight programs featuring Keystone Classic stakes.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)