Overwhelming favorite too tough in feature trot

WASHINGTON, PA, Dec. 16, 2021 — Joey, the 1-9 favorite, had to fight to reach the early lead but was unassailable once there, capturing his second straight harness racing victory in Thursday’s feature at The Meadows, a $12,100 Conditioned Trot.

Early contention forced Joey to a :27 opening panel. But when Brian Zendt gave him a 29.3 second-quarter breather, he easily turned back the first-over challenge of Tequila Talkin and downed him by two lengths in 1:54. Swan Legacy was a ground-saving third.

Leslie Zendt trains Joey, a 6-year-old Yankee Glide-Jodi’s Jayme gelding who now has banked $198,758 and owns with Bill Zendt Stables.

JOEY REPLAY

Elsewhere on Thursday’s card, 14-year-old TSM Photo Bugger, who faces mandatory retirement at the end of December, collected career win 62 and pushed his lifetime earnings to $879,740 when he took a $5,400 Conditioned Trot in 1:56. Ridge Warren piloted the SJs Photo-Rewarding Wink gelding for trainer Karen Fread and owner Ted Tomson.

Aaron Merriman, Jim Pantaleano and Warren each enjoyed a triple on the 12-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Friday when the 11-race program features a $16,020.24 carryover 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