Big Game Hunter held off the late challenge of Valiente Stride to capture his second straight harness racing victory in Saturday's second leg of the Winter Claiming Series for $20,000 horse and gelding pacers at The Meadows. Sawbuck Hanover and Want Me also took $15,000 second-leg splits.
Sent straight to the front by Aaron Merriman, Big Game Hunter easily parried the first-over bid of Mr Coolie but then had to deal with the stretch charge of Valiente Stride. The 6-year-old Geartogear-Penny's Fortune gelding downed Valiente Stride by a neck in 1:54, while Mr Coolie saved show. Mike Dowdall trains Big Game Hunter, who now boasts $161,405 in career earnings, for Keith Pippi.
The card also featured the second leg of the Winter Claiming Series for $10,000 claiming horse and gelding pacers, with Screen The Call and Waylon Hanover each winning $8,000 divisions. The championships of both Winter Claiming Series are set for Saturday, Feb. 27.
Elsewhere on Saturday's program, Rockin Ron stretched his winning streak to four with a facile victory — from post 9 — in the $22,500 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace. The first-over Artache Hanover was second, 3-1/2 lengths back, with Dew N Doughnuts third. Dave Palone drove the 4-year-old Real Desire-Im All A Roan gelding, who extended his career bankroll to $157,418, for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and RTC Stables.
Tony Hall, Merriman and Palone each enjoyed a three-bagger on the 15-race card.
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Register now for The Meadows Live Bankroll Handicapping Contest set for Saturday, March 5, with a guaranteed $5,000 prize pool. Cost is $100, with $50 allocated to the prize pool and $50 to each player's bankroll. Registered players can enjoy the free lunch buffet in the Triple Crown Banquet Room and will receive a free March 5 Meadows race program. Winner gets 50 percent of the prize pool, with 25 percent for second place, 12 percent for third place, 8 percent for fourth place and 5 percent for fifth place. To register now, call 724.503.1509 or visit the Retail Center in the Racebook. Event-day registration begins at 11:30 AM.
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino