Washington, PA — Commander Frank quarter-poled to the top and made it look easy from there, capturing an opening-leg division of Friday’s (April 14) Terry Altmeyer Memorial at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Fire N Lightning took the other $12,500 split in the series for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

Commander Frank made it look easy after an early challenged in one of the division’s of the Terry Altmeyer Memorial. Chris Gooden photo.

Commander Frank tried racing without hopples last week in his season debut but broke stride, prompting trainer Norm Parker to restore the equipment for the series. The son of Southwind Frank-Lady Athens was perfectly mannered for Mike Wilder, who shook the reins lightly at him to get him home in a career-best in 1:54.3. Long shot Biscoe finished second, 1-3/4 lengths back, with the first-over Lloyd Wright third.

Tom Brice, Bart Brice, Charles Receski and Ed Receski campaign Commander Frank.

Fire N Lightning trotted patiently in the pocket, then zipped through the Lightning Lane to defeat Big Boy Ernest by a neck in 1:54.4, a lifetime mark. Early leader Express Man completed the ticket. Brian Zendt piloted the Bar Hopping-Cantabs Lightning gelding, who triumphed for the forth time in 10 outings, for trainer Bill Zendt and owner Gary Saul.

Fire N Ligtning zipped through the lane to defeat Big Boy Ernest by a neck in the second division. Chris Gooden photo.

In Friday’s $19,300 Open Handicap Trot, Emerald’s Legacy overtook the hard-used Tequila Talkin in deep stretch to score in 1:52.1, fastest mile this year by a 4-year-old gelding on a five-eighths-mile track. The time by the 4-year-old Father Patrick-Devilish Emerald gelding was just two ticks off the all-age track record. Dave Palone drove for trainer Scott Betts and owners Tim Betts, Nick Catalano and Shanamphilaniklou.

Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. collected four wins on the 12-race card, including a pair for trainer Ron Burke.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Saturday (April 15) when the 12-race program features a pair of carryovers: $2,708.62 in the Early Pick 4 (race one), $557.12 in the Pick 5 (race eight). First post is 12:45 p.m.