Washington, PA — Whiskey Blu stretched his career unbeaten streak to five with an in-hand victory in Thursday’s (March 4) Dale McConnell Memorial Trot at The Meadows. Massive Stroke took the other $10,000 opening-leg division in the series for 3- and 4-year-old colts, horses and geldings.

Whiskey Blu maintained his undefeated record with a 1:56.3 score in the first round of the Dale McConnell Memorial. Chris Gooden photo.

Unraced at 2, Whiskey Blu launched his career Jan. 21 and has waltzed through conditions; the Southwind Frank-Kendall Blue gelding has rolled up a combined victory margin of 15-1/4 lengths over those five wins. In the McConnell, Dan Charlino — his pilot for all five starts — sent Whiskey Blu to the point at the quarter. He drew away from The Funk late and defeated him by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:56.3. Laramie rallied for show.

Ron Burke trains Whiskey Blu for Burke Racing Stable, Kitefield Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

The event honors the memory of Dale McConnell, who earned the nickname “Mr. Trot” for his success developing and campaigning trotters.

Mary Wohlmuth Memorial Trot

Palm Springs and Whom Shall I Love took their respective $10,000 opening-leg splits of this series for 3- and 4-year-old trotting fillies and mares, which commemorates the longtime manager of the 2:00 Club at The Meadows.

Hammered down to 2-5, Palm Springs justified the support with a facile front-end score in 1:58 for Dave Palone, trainer Kevin Johnson and owner Richard Briskey. The 4-year-old daughter of Father Patrick and Hot Springs captured her second straight, defeating Elysian Promise and Friday Night Storm.

Whom Shall I Love provided the day’s tote board theatrics, upsetting at 16-1 with a charge through the Lightning Lane for Aaron Merriman and trainer Charley Myers, who owns the 4-year-old daughter of Whom Shall I Fear and Bars Dutchess with Randy Stevenson, Dana Phillips and James Phillips. She prevailed in 1:57.1, with early leader Wonmyheart Hanover and Graymatter Hanover completing the ticket.

In Thursday’s $14,600 Open Handicap Pace, Windsong Leo made it two straight for Palone, Burke, and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phillip Collura. The 9-year-old Jereme’s Jet-Windsong Goldie gelding triumphed on the front end in 1:51.1, extending his lifetime bankroll beyond $700,000.

Palone collected five wins and Burke three on the 13-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Friday (March 5); first post is 12:45 p.m.