Series being dominated by three-year-old filly

WASHINGTON, PA, March 16, 2023 — It was a different kind of trip, but Inside Express (Trixton-Jessies Song) was dominant again, winning her second straight in Thursday’s (Mar. 16) $11,000 second leg of the Mary Wohlmuth Memorial for 3- and 4-year-old filly and mare harness racing trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

In last week’s victory, Inside Express was largely unpressured on the front end. On Thursday, she trotted patiently in third for Brady Brown, moved three wide through the final turn and drew off to score in a career-best 1:56.4. Seven Lick Caviar rallied for second, beaten 7-1/2 lengths, wirh Allforsouthwind third.

INSIDE EXPRESS REPLAY

Rick Beinhauer trains the 3-year-old filly and owns and bred her with Regina Beinhauer.

Thursday’s card also featured two $11,000 second-leg divisions of the Dale McConnell Memorial Trot, with Heist (Father Patrick-Miss Paris) and Dwight Hanover (Cantab Hall) taking the splits. Heist and Curadh each won a division last week, and when they got away 1-2, it looked as though they would duel throughout.

But Heist, the 1-5 favorite, drew off to an insurmountable third-quarter lead for Dave Palone and ultimately defeated Curadh in a huge romp by seven and one-quarter lengths in 1:56.2. Lloyd Wright rallied for show.

Scott Betts trains Heist, a 4-year-old, for Tim Betts, Tar Heel Racing and Shanamphilankilou.

HEIST REPLAY

Dwight Hanover and driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. were able to follow live outside cover from M Maurrone (Aaron Merriman) and then pull away from them in the stretch to win the second division by two and a half lengths in 1:58.1. Desperado Hall (Wilbur Yoder) was third.

DWIGHT HANOVER REPLAY

The championship legs of both the Wohlmuth Memorial and the McConnell Memorial are set for Thursday, March 23.

Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. and Palone joined trainer Ron Burke with three wins apiece on the 13-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Friday, first post 12:45 PM.

For complete race results, click here.

by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association