Off for a month, Nickie K nevertheless aggressively pulled the pocket down the backside and went on to an in-hand harness racing victory in Wednesday's (May 2) $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.
Leaving from post 8, Nickie K settled in the pocket behind Don’t Blink. But sensing he had the best horse, Greg Grismore moved the 8-year-old daughter of Ilooklikemymom-Italian Lady before the three-quarters. She drew off to score in a career-best 1:54.4, 3-1/4 lengths better than Greathallofchina. Susquehanna Belle was third.
Dan Walski trains Nickie K, who pushed her career bankroll to $240,169, for Karen Walski.
Elsewhere on the program, Big And Little trotted the fastest mile this year by a 4-year-old gelding on a five-eighths-mile track when the son of SJ’s Caviar-Penn Peachi Lane triumphed in 1:54 for Brian Zendt, trainer Bill Zendt and owner Gary Saul.
Aaron Merriman and Grismore each drove three winners on the 15-race card.
by Evan PATTAK