Seemingly blocked behind a wall of horses, Isabellas Magic knifed inside at the top of the lane, weaved a path between horses and scored a 9-1 upset victory in Friday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
Isabellas Magic was third over for Greg Grismore, who elected to shift inside rather than send the six-year-old daughter of Blissfull Hall-Follow The Magic well wide in the stretch. That move worked out perfectly when Isabellas Magic found a seam and barreled home in 1:52, matching her career-best clocking. Early leader Darena Hanover was second, half a length back, with Star Keeper third.
Ray Simms trains Isabellas Magic, who now boasts $194,662 in lifetime earnings, for William Spotti Jr.
Grismore and Brian Zendt each drove three winners on the 15-race card.
With one victory on the program, Dave Palone pushed his career win total to 15,995 in his quest to become the first North American driver with 16,000 wins.
(The Meadows)