Zendt Memorial final comes down to the wire

WASHINGTON, PA, March 24, 2023  — Good Investment (Racing Hill-Sea Cruise Hanover) controlled the fractions but had to dig deep to hold off the late challenge of Slipmeamiki and capture Friday’s (Mar. 24) $18,200 championship of the Wilbur Zendt Memorial for 3- and 4-year-old harness racing pacing colts, horses and geldings at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows.

Good Investment seized the lead from post 7 and easily repelled the outside flow but still faced the menacing threat of Slipmeamiki on his bumper. The 4-year-old gelding responded to the urging of Aaron Merriman and downed Slipmeamiki by a head in 1:53 over a “good” surface. Shotguninthehotsun shot the Lightning Lane for show.

Unraced at 2, Good Investment was purchased via on-line auction early last season by owner/trainer Dave Zito, who gave $7,800 for him.

“I treated him like he was a 2-year-old to get all the kinks out of him,” Zito said. “He has a good attitude and a lot of go but had a bad habit of bearing in through turns. To be honest, I was hoping for a two-hole trip today, but Aaron had other thoughts.”

Zito, who indicated he turned down a substantial offer for Good Investment before the Wilbur Zendt began, said he plans to give the horse a week off and play his future by ear.

In Friday’s $19,300 Open Handicap Pace, Sandbetweenmytoes (Somebeachsomewhere-Galleria) won a battle with A Fair Ol Dance N for the early lead and kept him pocketed throughout, defeating him by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52.3 for Brady Brown, trainer Dirk Simpson and owner Greg Luther Racing LLC. The 6-year-old gelding now boasts a career bankroll of $673.810. Cody Hanover powered through a late-opening seam for show.

Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. joined trainers Ron Burke and Paul Corey with three wins on the 13-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday, first post 12:45 PM.

For complete race results, click here.

by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association