WASHINGTON, PA, March 17, 2015 — Terror Of the Nite rolled to victory in a career-best 1:54.1 to notch his third straight in the Walter Russell Memorial Pace at The Meadows. Heavenly Knox scored in a sizzling 1:52.4 in the other $12,000 split in Tuesday's third leg of the harness racing series for 3- and 4-year-old colts, stallions and geldings.
The championship legs of the Walter Russell and three other current series at The Meadows are set for Friday, March 27, first post 6:55 PM.
Dave Palone gave Terror Of The Nite — the 1-9 favorite — a comfortable 58.2 front half, and when the 4-year-old son of Western Terror-Her Odyssey sprinted home in 55.4, he assured that he would be positioned for a series sweep. The pocket-sitting Native Dude was second, 7-1/2 lengths back, with Hickory Terrific third. Ron Burke trains Terror Of The Nite for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura. It was one of seven wins on the 14-race program for Palone.
Tuesday's card also featured a pair of top trots. In the $22,500 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap, Cowgirl Hall looked sharp off a three-month layoff, collecting a front-end victory in 1:54.4. Whata Donato, who was used hard early, held on for place, 4-1/4 lengths in arrears, while Anaffairtoremember rallied for show. Palone drove the 6-year-old daughter of Cash Hall – Centerfold Hall, who now boasts $658,993 in lifetime earnings, for Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Jack Piatt III and Michael Rosenthal.
In the $18,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap, Daylon Miracle relished her status as the only female in the field — and the 7-5 favorite — as she dueled for the early lead before cruising home for Aaron Merriman in 1:55.1, 2-1/4 lengths ahead of TSM Photo Bugger. Tamarind completed the ticket. Bill Bercury owns and trains Daylon Miracle, a 6-year-old daughter of Pegasus Spur-Daylon Marvel who extended her career bankroll to $423,197.
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino