Opening leg of series is no problem for Good Deal

WASHINGTON, PA, April 8, 2022 — Hammered down to 1-9, Good Deal looked every bit the unbeatable harness racing favorite as he cruised to his third straight victory in Friday’s $12,500 opening leg of the Tom Kirwan Memorial Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

The series for 3-year-old colts and geldings honors the memory of Tom Kirwan, who began his career as a successful trainer/driver at The Meadows and later served as a superintendent on the backside.

Good Deal served notice that he would be a force when he captured the $22,000 championship of the Wilbur Zendt Memorial Pace, a series for 3- and 4-year-olds.

The Sweet Lou-Cut A Deal gelding looked even more formidable facing sophomores only, cutting the fractions and drawing off at the three-quarters for Dave Palone to triumph in 1:53.3, a tick off his lifetime mark. Wehadababyetzaboy rallied for second, beaten 2 lengths, with I’ll Take The Bet third.

Ron Burke trains Good Deal for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi Inc., J&T Silva-Purnell&Libby and Larry Karr.

GOOD DEAL REPLAY

In the $17,600 Open Handicap Pace, Wild Wild Western nabbed his third straight by following two-holing the hard used Dorsoduro Hanover and outkicking him late to prevail by x in 1:51 over a “good” surface. Carolina Beach rallied for show.

Mike Wilder piloted the 6-year-old son of Western Ideal-Caila Fra, who lifted his career earnings to $422,985, for trainer Norm Parker and owners Jacobs Creek Racing, Andrew Altobelli and Jon Deters.

With his place check, Dorsoduro Hanover now has banked $1,999,135 in his stellar career.

WILD WILD WESTERN REPLAY

Palone collected three wins on the 12-race card.

The Meadows is dark the week of April 11 to allow for track maintenance. When live racing resumes Wednesday, April 20, The Meadows will introduce its four-cards-per-week schedule, with live racing each Wednesday though Saturday.

On April 20, the program will feature a pair of carryovers — $4,225.06 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (race 4), $5,840.75 in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 PM.

For full race results, click here.

By Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association