Meadows Open won with powerful first-over move

WASHINGTON, PA, Sept. 7, 2023 — Dewitt For Josie (Sportswriter-Lucky Josie) overpowered the tiring leader with a first-over move and rolled home to capture Thursday’s $19,200 Filly & Mare Open Handicap Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Think Of Galaxies claimed the point with a :25.4 opening panel, but that ambitious beginning proved her undoing, as she could not withstand the challenge of Dewitt For Josie when Dave Palone moved her from third. The 4-year-old mare held off Blue Ivy by 2-1/4 lengths to triumph in 1:50.3, while Kat rallied for show.

Michael Hall trains Dewitt For Josie, who lifted her career bankroll to $243,018, for Let It Ride Stables Inc.

Aaron Merriman and Mike Wilder joined Palone with a pair of victories on the 12-race card.

DEWITT FOR JOSIE REPLAY

On Friday, The Meadows hosts Pennsylvania Stallion Series championships in all eight divisions, with a total of $320,000 in purses up for grabs. The finals go as races 3-10 on the 13-race card — the last twilight program of the season — beginning at 5:10 PM.

To heighten the excitement, The Meadows will offer a Stallion Series Pick-8, which will begin in race 3 and span all the championships, with a $5,000 guarantee courtesy the track, the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association and the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Initiative. The Pick-8 features a 20-cent base wager and a low takeout of 15 percent.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows