Palone snatches both divisions in series

WASHINGTON, PA, March 18, 2022 — Good Deal overpowered the harness racing field with a :27 third quarter burst en route to victory in Friday’s Wilbur Zendt Memorial Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Dream of Dragons captured the other $10,000 second leg split of the series for 3- and 4-year-old horse, colt and gelding pacers, giving Dave Palone a sweep of the event.

The $15,000-added series championship is set for Friday, March 25.

A 3-year-old Sweet Lou-Cut A Deal gelding, Good Deal hadn’t raced since Oct. 9. But he had plenty of pop when Palone sent him first up from fourth, scoring in 1:53.2 to match his lifetime mark. Early leader Pack Your Bags was second, 1 length back, with I’ll Take The Bet third.

Ron Burke trains Good deal for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby.

GOOD DEAL REPLAY

Dream Of Dragons also made his decisive move in the third quarter, throwing down a 27.3.

The 4-year-old Dragon Again-Honey Dreams gelding triumphed in a career-best 1:53.2. Woody Two finished second, 1-1/2 lengths in arrears, while Treasurer Delight finished third. Dave Zito owns and conditions the winner.

DREAM OF DRAGONS REPLAY

In the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace, Wild Wild Western was ahead at every pole and thwarted a pair of late challenges to prevail in 1:50.1 for Brady Brown — and vault over $400,000 in career earnings. Dorsoduro Hanover and Carolina Beach completed the ticket.

Norm Parker trains the 6-year-old son of Western Ideal-Caila Fra for Jacobs Creek Racing, Andrew Altobelli and Jon Deters.

Aaron Merriman collected three wins on the 11-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the 11-race program features a pair of carryovers — $27,529.19 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (race 4), $6,271.03 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