Open Trot to a determined Emerald's Legacy

WASHINGTON, PA, May 16, 2024 — Emerald’s Legacy (Father Patrick-Devilish Emerald) enjoyed comfortable fractions on top but still had to dig in to preserve his harness racing victory in Thursday’s $21,200 Open Handicap Trot at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

After Emerald’s Legacy quarter-poled to the point, Dave Palone gave him a :29.3 second-panel breather. The 5-year-old gelding was unchallenged until mid-stretch when John Dutton and Ahundreddollarbill took their shots. Emerald’s Legacy held off John Dutton by a head in 1:53.2, with Ahundreddollarbill third.

EMERALD’S LEGACY REPLAY

Scott Betts trains Emerald’s legacy, who boosted his lifetime bankroll to $248,553 for Tim Betts, Nick Catalano, Keith Pippi and Shanamphilaniklou.

Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. collected three wins on the 13-race card, including a pair for trainer Ron Burke.

Elsewhere on Thursday’s program, driver Chris Shaw enjoyed his first win since being sidelined by multiple, serious injuries in a Sept. 28, 2021, race mishap. Shaw has been carefully picking spots for his return, with only 17 purse starts this year. His win Thursday came with Roger Hammer’s 4-year-old trotter Battin Athousand.

Friday’s card at The Meadows features a pair of stakes for 3-year-old filly pacers: a $140,422 Pennsylvania Sires Stake and an $80,000 PA Stallion Series event. Freshman champ Geocentric makes her seasonal debut in the sires stakes, leaving from post 1, race eight for Tim Tetrick. First post is 12:45 PM.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Evan Pattak, for the MSOA