WASHINGTON, PA, July 28, 2020 — Final Breath relentlessly wore down the leader first over and rolled to an easy victory over a distinguished field in Tuesday's $17,900 Open Handicap Trot at The Meadows.
Perlucky took the lead after a demanding 27,1 opening panel that left him vulnerable. Final Breath and Tony Hall pounced, putting away Perlucky and drawing off to score in 1:52.2, matching his career best. Icanflylikeanangel found the Lightning Lane in time for second, 3 lengths back, while Jailhouse Sam rallied for show.
Norm Parker trains Final Breath, a 10-year-old Victory Sam-First Breath gelding who now boasts a career bankroll of $648,332, for Duane Lowe.
In Tuesday's co-feature, the $16,200 Filly & Mare Open Handicap Pace, Blue Ivy survived a contentious first quarter and triumphed in 1:51.4 for Aaron Merriman, trainer Bill Bercury and owner Renee Bercury. The 4-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous-All Blue lifted her lifetime earnings to $230,060.
Brian Zendt and Merriman each fashioned a triple on the 15-race card.
Live racing at The Meadows continues Wednesday when the program features a pair of Arden Downs Grand Circuit stakes: the $37,644 Edward M. Ryan for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters and the $38,244 Judge Joe McGraw for freshman filly trotters. On the wagering front, the card offers a $1,842.42 carryover in the Early Pick 5 (race 2). First post is 12:45 PM.
By Evan Pattak, for The MSOA