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ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL COMEBACK
Last week in this space, it was noted that Distant Drums, a 5YO son of Trixton, extended his unbeaten harness racing streak to 9 races for trainer Sarah Andrews after missing all of 2023. Now, another horse that had been away from racing since 2022 has started a similar streak. South Port, a 5YO gelding by Archangel, raced only four times in his career through his 3YO season. The final race of his 3YO campaign was on August 9, 2022 at Mohawk.
He reappeared more than 25 months later, in a qualifier at The Meadows on September 24, 2024 for trainer Nate Bresnahan. Since then, he has won all three of his parimutuel starts, in 1:57.1, 1:58.4, and a new lifetime mark of 1:56.4 on October 23. The similarities with Distant Drums don’t end with the time off and the successful return. Despite racing for two different trainers, both Distant Drums and South Port are owned by Matt Miller of Cochranton, Pennsylvania. Miller purchased both from Amish auctions, as both spent 2023 as buggy horses.
Both trotters will try to extend their streaks this week. South Port has post 2 in the 8th race on Wednesday, while Distant Drums will go for his 10th straight win on Thursday at The Meadows, leaving from post 7 in the 9th race.
PRESTO REACHES 100
For the first time in his training career, Brandon Presto has reached the 100-win plateau at The Meadows. Presto entered last Friday’s card with 98 local wins, but victories in races 4, 5 and 8 pushed him above and beyond the mark, with Mantador’s Race 5 win counting as #100 on the season. His success as a trainer has benefitted numerous drivers this season, including on Friday, when Hunter Myers, Dave Palone and Jeremy Indof drove the three winners. Presto, who currently sits second in wins this year at The Meadows behind Ron Burke (161) posted 62 local wins in 2022, and 94 in 2023.
THREE DAY RACING SCHEDULE
The Meadows is now into its fall racing schedule, with 3 days of racing per week. This week we are racing Wednesday, Thursday at Friday afternoons at 12:45pm.
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
