Dead Heat win finish in Open Trot

WASHINGTON, PA, March 28, 2024 — As Killer Instinct (Southwind Frank-Wheely Quick) moved outside to put away the harness racing leader, Jeffery P (Full Count-Betty Jean) cut into his margin in the Lightning Lane. Both were vying to win Thursday’s $21,200 Open Handicap Trot at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. At the wire, the camera could not separate them, and Killer Instinct and Jeffery P were declared dead-heat winners of the track’s top trot.

The winners traveled vastly different routes to get to the wire together. Killer Instinct sustained a first-over move for Jeremy Indof that carried him past the 1-5 favorite, Emerald’s Legacy, while Jeffery P trotted patiently in the pocket for Aaron Merriman. The pair crossed the wire in tandem in 1:53.2, matching the track record for a trotting dead heat established by Classic Martine and Frau Blucher in 2013. Redwhite N Goo finished 2-1/4 lengths back in third.

Melanie O’Donnell trains Killer Instinct, a 6-year-old gelding who earned a lifetime mark and extended his career bankroll to $370,019 and owns with Corey Hendricks.

Michael Burke conditions Jeffery P, a 9-year-old gelding who now boasts career earnings of $489,878, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura.

KILLER INSTINCT / JEFFERY P REPLAY

Merriman collected four wins and Hunter Myers three on the 14-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Friday when the program features a $7,864.05 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (race 4). First post is 12:45 PM.

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

by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association