Pocket trip helps beat 1-5 favorite in Open

WASHINGTON, PA, Nov. 18, 2022 — Surreal Ideal (So Surreal-Jkmusicofthenite) let the 1-5 favorite, Wild Wild Western, do the heavy lifting on top, then surged by him in deep stretch to score a 6-1 upset in Friday’s (Nov. 18) $19,300 Open Handicap Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Wild Wild Western achieved the half in a comfortable 57 but couldn’t shake Surreal Ideal stalking in the pocket. When Ridge Warren cut Surreal Ideal loose in the lane, he rocketed past the favorite and downed him by a neck in 1:52.1. Roll Em finished third.

SURREAL IDEAL REPLAY

Vernon Beachy trains Surreal Ideal, a 4-year-old gelding who lifted his career bankroll to $141,276 and owns with Gitup Racing and Elise Kilmer.

Aaron Merriman and Hunter Myers each collected three wins on the 13-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Tuesday when the program features a pair of carryovers — $3,563.81 in the final-race Jackpot Super Hi-5, $122.92 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (race 4). First post is 12:45 PM.

For complete race results, click here.

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association