Smokinmombo wins F&M Handicap Trot

WASHINGTON, PA, April 26, 2016 — Smokinmombo kicked off her 4-year-old campaign in grand fashion Tuesday at The Meadows when she rolled to a comfortable victory in the $22,500 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot.

Smokinmombo banked $306,652 at 2 and 3 but hadn't raced since Oct. 30 and was facing a distinguished field of older mares. When Aaron Merriman sent her to the front with a quarter-pole move, the daughter of Explosive Matter-Horizontal Mombo scored easily in 1:53.4, matching her career-best race mark.

She Wore Red rallied for second, 3 lengths back, while Barn Girl shot the Lightning Lane for show. Chris Beaver trains Smokinmombo and owns with Synerco Ventures and James Gallagher.

Tony Hall, Jim Pantaleano and Merriman each piloted three winners on the 14-race program.

by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows