Two-year-old Special Menu flies in 1:51.1

WASHINGTON, PA, July 15, 2023  — In only his second lifetime start, Special Menu (Stay Hungry-All The Buzz) blazed to a front-end harness racing victory in 1:51.1 in Saturday’s (Jul. 15) $15,000 championship of a Pop Up Series for freshman colt and gelding pacers at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Special Menu showed speed while winning his debut in 1:53, but this was a different kind of fast. He pocketed Aintbluenomore from the gate and, even after three quarters in 1:23.2, threw down a 27.4 closing panel for Dave Palone. He downed Aintbluenomore by 1-1/4 lengths, with Fredericktown Lad third.

SPECIAL MENU REPLAY

Brian Brown trains Special Menu for Hutchison Harness LLC.

In Saturday’s $19,300 Open Handicap Pace, Wild Wild Western turned back late challenges inside and outside to score in 1:49.1 for Mike Wilder, trainer Norm Parker and owners Jacobs Creek Racing, Andrew Altobelli and Jon Deters.  It was the 38^th victory in the distinguished career of the 7-year-old son of Western Ideal-Caila Fra and boosted his lifetime bankroll to $619,042. Double Metal and Risenshine Seaside completed the ticket.

Aaron Merriman and Palone each piloted three winners on the 12-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday, which features the draw for post positions for eliminations of the $400,000 (est) Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids. Elims are set for Saturday, July 22, with the final to go the following Saturday. First post Wednesday is 12:45 PM.

GLADA Trot

WASHINGTON, PA, July 15, 2023  — Scott “Bomber” Betts and Redwhite N Goo (Googoo Gaagaa-Redwhitenbluestone) waited patiently in the pocket, then easily outkicked Tom “Mayhem” Svrcek and Just Like Magic to capture Saturday’s $10,000 leg of the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) Trot at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Svrcek threw on the brakes in a 30.3 second panel that brought the field to the half in a slowish 59.1. But he couldn’t sprint away from Betts, who angled outside off the final turn and drew away to defeat Svrcek by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2. “I Dream of Jeannie” Rastetter (Garrett Scores) and “Soarin’” Lauren Harmon rounded out the ticket.

Betts also trains Redwhite N Goo, a 5-year-old gelding who vaulted over $100,000 in lifetime earnings, for Tim Betts.

For complete race results, click here.

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association