by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — Classic Martine, Pennsylvania’s divisional co-champion in 2013, successfully launched her 4-year-old campaign Wednesday (April 30) at The Meadows by overcoming post nine and cruising to victory in the $22,500 Filly & Mare Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot.

Classic Martine earned a share of the PA championship when she and Frau Blucher finished in the fastest trotting dead heat ever in the Sires Stakes final at The Meadows.

There was no such drama Wednesday, as Dan Rawlings pushed her to the lead in :27.3 and gave her a 30.2 second-quarter breather. The daughter of Classic Photo-Drinking Days scored in 1:55 on a sloppy surface, 2-1/4 lengths better than the pocket-sitting Unefoisdansmavie. Mistress Valentine was third.

Chris Oakes trains Classic Martine, who extended her career bankroll to $553,724, for Hauser Bros. Racing, Susan Oakes, Conrad Zurich and Edwin Gold.

Rawlings and Dave Palone each drove three winners on the 14-race program.

Friday’s card at The Meadows features four divisions of an $80,000 PA Stallion Series stake for 3-year-old filly pacers. First post is 12:55 p.m.