by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — Ready Any Time was set to her task in mid-stretch and responded, just holding off the relentless charge of Barn Girl to capture Wednesday’s (July 11) $18,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows in a career-best 1:53.

Chris Gooden photo

Ready Any Time ends the three-race winning streak of the formidable Barn Girl by a head on Wednesday at The Meadows.

Ready Any Time vaulted to the front from post five for Dave Palone but soon faced the first-over challenge of Barn Girl, who was seeking her fourth straight victory. When Palone asked her for more, the 5-year-old daughter of Kadabra-Spice Queen found it, edging Barn Girl by a head, with Bessie third.

Ron Burke trains Ready Any Time, who lifted her lifetime bankroll to $161,513, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Palone, harness racing’s all-time “winningest” driver, enjoyed a big day with six victories, including one each for trainers Randy Bendis, Scott Betts, Gerald Lee, Jr., Dirk Simpson, Leslie Zendt and Burke. Jim Pantaleano fashioned a triple on the 13-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Saturday, first post 1:05 p.m.