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HUSTON, ZIDEK TO GUEST ANNOUNCE
Two guest harness racing announcers will share duties in the booth this week at The Meadows. Hall of Famer Roger Huston will return to call the races on Wednesday and Friday, while Thursday’s races will be called by Ryan Zidek. Combined, the two have announced approximately 184,000 races. The 81-year-old Huston accounts for more than 183,000 of them, while Zidek, 29, has covered the rest.
FINAL 2023 QUALIFIERS SET FOR TUESDAY
Qualifying races will be held as usual this Tuesday, December 19, but they will be the final qualifiers of the 2023 season. No qualifiers will be held the week of December 26. Qualifiers will resume on Tuesday, January 2 at 11AM. All qualifying races can be seen live on the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association Facebook page and archived at youtube.com/themsoa.
MORGAN STABLE GOING FOR 5TH STRAIGHT OPEN WIN
Trainer Virgil Morgan Jr hasn’t sent many horses to The Meadows this year, but the ones he has sent have come ready to race. First in was Marloe Hanover, and she won the Open Mares Pace two straight starts. Morgan then shipped Alexa Skye over to take Marloe Hanover’s place in the Open, and she promptly went wire to wire and equaled the track record a few weeks ago with a 1:49.4 score.
Last week, it was Chase H Hanover’s turn, and he went wire-to-wire in the Open in 1:50 flat for Dave Palone. Chase H Hanover will return on Friday, December 22 to defend his title and try to keep the Morgan Stable streak alive. Chase H Hanover has drawn the outside post 7 in the 8th Race on Friday, the $21,200 Open Handicap.
WINNING STREAKS, PART TWO
Speaking of winning streaks, two local horses will put their streaks on the line this week. On Wednesday, trotter Big Miles (Googoo Gaagaa) will try to keep his 2023 record perfect in the 6th race. The four-year-old got a late start this year but has won all four of his starts for trainer Scott Betts. He is the 6-5 morning line favorite for driver Dave Palone.
On Thursday, trotter Muscle Jack will be going for his 9th consecutive victory. He has the outside post in a claiming handicap trot for trainer Mark Goldberg and driver Jeremy Indof. Muscle Jack, a 5YO son of Muscle Mass, is 9-for-12 overall this season.
If you would like additional information at any point, please reach out to track announcer Jeff Zidek (jeff.zidek@pennentertainment.com).
by Jeff Zidek, for The Meadows
