Wilbur Zendt Memorial Series gets underway

WASHINGTON, PA, March 8, 2024  — Moneyman Mikki (Always B Miki-Not Before Eight) scorched the back half in :55.2 and rolled home in Friday’s (Mar. 8) opening leg of the Wilbur Zendt Memorial Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Battleshoe Hart (Wind Me Up-Robin’s Terror) captured the other $$10,000 division of the harness racing event for 3- and 4-year-old horses, colts and geldings.

The series honors the memory of Wilbur Zendt, longtime trainer/driver whose descendants are pillars of racing at The Meadows.

Once Dave Palone moved Moneyman Mikki from the pocket past the quarter, he was well on his way to his third straight victory. The 4-year-old gelding triumphed in a career-best 1:52.4, 1-3/4 lengths better than Chiseled In Faith, while Senditin Jim rallied from well back for show.  Rick Hercules trains Moneyman Miki for Jack Piatt III, Howard Alexander, Joseph Seman and William Schmid.

MONEYMAN MIKKI REPLAY

Battleshoe Hart dueled for the lead before settling in the pocket. His rest was brief, however, as Brady Jenson sent him to the point past the quarter.

The 4-year-old gelding widened his lead in the lane, scoring by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:52, fastest win of his career. Shethinksistilcare and EA Lucky Hill completed the ticket. Dirk Simpson conditions the winner for Ben Simpson Stable.

BATTLESHOE HART REPLAY

Friday’s card also featured a pair of $21,200 Open Handicaps — one for pacers, the other on the trot. In the trot, Warrawee Yang (Trixton-Endless Flirt) made it three straight with a front-end verdict for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., trainer Michael Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.  The 4-year-old prevailed in 1:52.4, matching his lifetime mark, to raise his career earnings to $122,176. Killer Instinct was second, beaten 3/4 lengths, while Emerald’s Legacy closed well for show.

WARRAWEE YANG REPLAY

In the pace, Wrenn and Burke completed a sweep of the overnight features when Sumomentsomwhere A (Somebeachsomewhere-Special Moment) held off the late charge of 22-1 long shot The Real Way and scored by a head in a career-best 1:50.4. Liteningonthebeach shot the Lightning Lane for show. It was the fourth win in the last six starts for the 7-year-old gelding, who now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $147,804. Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Larry Karr and Jamie Durnberger-Smith campaign the winner.

SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A REPLAY

Wrenn and Burke teamed for four wins on the 14-race card while Aaron Merriman also enjoyed a four-bagger.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a trio of carryovers: $886.52 in the Lucky7; $1,874.46 in the Early Pentafecta; $745.39 in the Pick 5. First post is 12:45 PM.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association