Dewitt For Josie overpowered the tiring leader with a first-over move and rolled home to capture Thursday’s $19,200 Filly & Mare Open Handicap Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Think Of Galaxies claimed the point with a :25.4 opening panel, but that ambitious beginning proved her undoing, as she could not withstand the challenge of Dewitt For Josie when Dave Palone moved her from third. The four-year-old daughter of Sportswriter-Lucky Josie held off Blue Ivy by 2-1/4 lengths to triumph in 1:50.3, while Kat rallied for show.
Michael Hall trains Dewitt For Josie, who lifted her career bankroll to $271,921, for Let It Ride Stables Inc.
Aaron Merriman and Mike Wilder joined Palone with a pair of victories on the 12-race card.
On Friday, The Meadows hosts Pennsylvania Stallion Series championships in all eight divisions, with a total of $320,000 in purses up for grabs. The finals go as races three through 10 on the 13-race card — the last twilight program of the season — beginning at 5:10 p.m.
To heighten the excitement, The Meadows will offer a Stallion Series Pick-8, which will begin in race three and span all the championships, with a $5,000 guarantee courtesy the track, the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association and the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Initiative. The Pick-8 features a 20-cent base wager and a low takeout of 15 per cent.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)