from Harness Publicists across North America

Tuesday’s (Dec. 22) edition of Racing Roundup features a results story from The Meadows.

Mystery Chase scores in Meadows Pace

Washington, PA — Roughed up in the opening quarter, Mystery Chase ultimately found the pocket and enough late pace Tuesday at The Meadows to capture the $27,500 Preferred Handicap, his fourth win in his last five starts.

Leaving from post seven, Mystery Chase was stuck outside in a :27 first panel before clearing to the lead. When Dougs Fame took over the point, he provided just the cover Mystery Chase needed. Eric Ledford tipped Mystery Chase off the pylons around the final turn, and the 4-year-old son of Real Artist-Search For Cam responded by drawing off to score in 1:53.1 in the slop. A hard-used Transcending was second, 2-3/4 lengths back, with Roadway third.

Donnie Russell trains Mystery Chase, who pushed his career bankroll north of $600,000, and owns with Edward Needle.

Ledford and Mike Wilder each drove three winners on the 15-race card, which featured a milestone mile when Western Kissed and Dave Palone won the fifth race in 1:54.1. It was the track’s 1,000th 1:55-or-better mile in 2009, most ever in a single season at The Meadows.

— Evan Pattak