I Love My MVP knifed inside out of the final turn and drew off in the Lightning Lane to capture the $12,500 second leg of the Terry Altmeyer Memorial Trot for three-year-old colts and geldings on Friday (April 22) at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. The $17,500-added series championship is set for Thursday, April 28.
Armani pounced on the tiring leaders first over and easily cleared, but I Love My MVP was right on his bumper. As they turned for home, Jeremy Indof chose the inside path for I Love My MVP, and the My MVP-I Love Lindy gelding responded by kicking past and downing Armani by 1-1/2 lengths in a career-best 1:56.1. Opening-leg winner Betterinpinehurst finished third from post eight.
Dirk Simspon trains I Love My MVP for Dirk Simpson Stable.
In Friday’s $16,000 Open Handicap Trot, Perlucky seated Rising MVP from the gate and kept him there throughout, defeating him by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54. Rose Run Whitney completed the ticket. Dave Palone piloted the winner, a seven-year-old Lucky Chucky-Paper Girl gelding who now has banked $572,219, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura.
Aaron Merriman collected three wins on the 11-race card.
Live harness racing at The Meadows continues Saturday when the 11-race program features a pair of carryovers — $$6,370.48 in the Jackpot Pick 5 (race 4), $565.48 in the final-race Super Hi-5. On the racing front, Dorsoduro Hanover is poised to become a US$2 million performer; he’ll achieve that milestone with a top-four finish in the $16,000 Open Pace (race 8). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(MSOA)