John “The Greek” Sikaras in first career win

WASHINGTON, PA, Nov. 27, 2020 — He’d had only two lifetime drives, neither a win, but John “The Greek” Sikaras changed that arithmetic dramatically Friday at The Meadows when he and Explosive Leggs roared wide through the lane to pull off a 23-1 harness racing upset in an $8,500 Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) leg at The Meadows.

A longtime Standardbred owner but a neophyte driver, Sikaras trailed by 4 lengths into the stretch when he and Explosive Leggs found their best stride. They prevailed in 1:59 over a “good” surface, 1/2 length better than Jerry Kehm (Vegas Ticket). Alesha “The Hoosier Hotshot” Binkley (Delcrest Holiday) overcame a parked-out opening panel to finish third.

Carl Cocciolone trains Explosive Leggs, an 8-year-old Explosive Matter-American Leggs gelding who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $280,441, and owns with Mark Sosovicka.

Explosive Leggs

GLADA action continues through the winter at Northfield.

In Friday’s $17,900 Open Handicap Pace, the first-over Wild Wild Western threw down a 55.2 back half to earn a narrow victory in 1:51.2 for Tony Hall, trainer Norm Parker and owners Jacobs Creek Racing, Andrew Altobelli and John Deters. It was the second straight victory for the 4-year-old Western Ideal-Caila Fra gelding, who now boasts lifetime earnings of $255,580.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Monday when the 13-race card features a pair of carryovers: $867.58 in the final-race Super Hi-5, $520.49 in the Pick 5 (race 8). First post is 12:45 PM.

By Evan Pattak for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association.