WASHINGTON, PA, Dec. 15, 2018 — Silverhill Blaze stalked the leader from the pocket, then roared by in the lane to pull off the 33-1 harness racing shocker in Saturday's Holiday Claiming Services for $20,000 claiming colt, horse and gelding pacers at The Meadows. Reggie Raider took the other $15,000 opening-leg division.
Marvalous Artist led the field through the final turn but tired in the sloppy going. Dan Rawlings guided Silverhill Blaze outside, and the 6-year-old Mach Three-Southwind Miranda gelding had little trouble going by and scoring in 1:53.3. Beginner's Luck shot the Lightning Lane for second, 1-1/4 lengths back, while Marvalous Artist saved show. John Sullivan trains Silverhill Blaze, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $167,744, for Chris Drongosky.
Reggie Raider, a 4-year-old McArdle-Miss JC Raider gelding, made up 7 lengths over the back half to triumph in 1:55.2 for Dave Palone, trainer Spencer Kahrig and owner Kahrig Racing Stable. Lyons King was 2 lengths back in second, with Class Six third.
Also kicking off Saturday was a Holiday Claiming Series for $10,000 claiming colt, horse and gelding pacers. Doctor RJ and Fairytale Prince captured the $8,000 splits.
The Meadows this week launched six Holiday Claiming Series that conclude on a special New Year's Eve card that also features the career finale of Foiled Again, the richest Standardbred all time with earnings exceeding $7.5 million. First post Dec. 31 is 5:30 PM.
Palone and Ron Burke each enjoyed a four-bagger on the 13-race card.
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Monday, when the program includes a $1,254 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5.
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino