Surreal Ideal and Benjamin Hanover reign again

WASHINGTON, PA, Nov. 15, 2024  — Surreal Ideal (So Surreal) and Benjamin Hanover (Sebastian K S) each continued his domination of the pacing and trotting elite, respectively, at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, each scoring at 1-9 Friday in an Open Handicap event.

Although Surreal Ideal was parked by Gung Ho through a 27.2 opening panel over a sloppy surface in the $21,200 Open Handicap Pace, he had enough in the tank to hold off the challenger by 3/4 lengths in 1:51.4, securing his fourth consecutive victory. Dragon City finished third.

SURREAL IDEAL REPLAY

Hunter Myers drove the 6-year-old gelding, who lifted his lifetime earnings to $338,718, for trainer Vernon Beachy and owners 518 Group LLC and Gitup Racing.

There were no such close calls for Benjamin Hanover, who rolled to the point from post 7 for Aaron Merriman and widened his margin throughout to take the $21,200 Open Handicap Trot. The 4-year-old Sebastian K S-By A Neck Hanover gelding triumphed under wraps in 1:54, 4-1/4 lengths better than Smoking Jet, with Good Feeln To Know third.

Sarah Andrews trains Benjamin Hanover, who boosted his career bankroll to $143,190, and owns with Angela Cornell.

BENJAMIN HANOVER REPLAY

Dave Palone, Merriman and Myers each piloted three winners on the 13-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a $2,260.05 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (race 4). First post is 12:45 PM.

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

by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association