Washington, PA — Icanflylikeanangel held off challengers inside and out as he toughed out a victory in Thursday’s (May 26) $17,600 Open Handicap Trot at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

Icanflylikeanangel enjoyed a :29.1 second-quarter breather — and he needed it when confronted in mid-stretch by Perlucky on the outside and the pocket-sitting Keystone Chaos in the Lightning Lane. But the 8-year-old Archangel-Fox Valley London gelding dug deep for Mike Wilder and prevailed in 1:53.4, a half length better than Keystone Chaos, with Perlucky third.

Icanflylikeanangel proved a steadfast winner in Thursday’s Open Handicap Trot at The Meadows. Chris Gooden photo.

Randy Bendis trains the winner, who extended his lifetime bankroll to $582,447, and owns with Pollack Racing LLC.

Aaron Merriman, Dave Palone and Wilder each piloted three winners on the 12-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Friday (May 27), when the 13-race program features a pair of carryovers: $16,098.96 in the final-race Super Hi-5 and $6,905.78 in the Jackpot Pick-5 (races 4-8). The day’s events also include wiener dog races, Family Fun Night and the kickoff of the Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival. First post is 5:10 p.m.