by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — Lightly regarded Return Of The Sith saved ground for most of the mile, then exploded late to pull off a 13-1 shocker in Saturday’s (April 14) second leg of the Tom Kirwan Memorial Pace for 3-year-old colts and geldings at The Meadows.

Chris Gooden photo

Return Of The Sith increased his bankroll to $246,993 in his career with an upset win at The Meadows on Saturday.

On Saturday afternoon (April 21) The Meadows will host the $25,000 (est.) finals of four current late-closer series, including the Tom Kirwan.

Return Of The Sith was third at the top of the lane when Ronnie Wrenn Jr. angled him off the cones for racing room. He held off Antagonist by a neck to score in 1:53.4, lowering his lifetime mark by 4.4 seconds, with early leader His Excellence third. Norm Parker trains the son of Bettor’s Delight-Gothic Lady for Megan Rogers Racing Stables.

In the $20,000 Preferred Handicap Pace, Phoenix Warrior N rallied from sixth to score in a career-best 1:50.3 for Jeremy Indof, trainer Scott Betts and owners Timothy Betts, Nicholas Catalano and Stephen Moss. The 8-year-old Jereme’s Jet-Never Walk Alone gelding now boasts $246,993 in career earnings.

Aaron Merriman, harness racing’s “winningest” driver in each of the past three seasons, enjoyed a big day with six wins on the 12-race card for six different trainers: Randy Bendis, Paul Corey, Clay Faurot, Jr., Herman Hagerman, Bill Rhoades and John Zawistowski.