Washington, PA — As Killer Instinct moved outside to put away the leader, Jeffery P cut into his margin in the Lightning Lane. Both were vying to win Thursday’s (March 28) $21,200 Open Handicap Trot at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. At the wire, the camera could not separate them, and Killer Instinct and Jeffery P were declared dead-heat winners of the track’s top trot.

The winners traveled vastly different routes to get to the wire together. Killer Instinct sustained a first-over move for Jeremy Indof that carried him past the 1-5 favorite, Emerald’s Legacy, while Jeffery P trotted patiently in the pocket for Aaron Merriman. The pair crossed the wire in tandem in 1:53.2, matching the track record for a trotting dead heat established by Classic Martine and Frau Blucher in 2013. Redwhite N Goo finished 2-1/4 lengths back in third.

Killer Instinct and Jeffery P dead-heating for win in Thursday’s feature at The Meadows. Chris Gooden photo.

Melanie O’Donnell trains Killer Instinct, a 6-year-old Southwind Frank-Wheely Quick gelding who earned a lifetime mark and extended his career bankroll to $370,019, and owns with Corey Hendricks.

Michael Burke conditions Jeffery P, a 9-year-old Full Count-Betty Jean gelding who now boasts career earnings of $489,878, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura.

Merriman collected four wins and Hunter Myers three on the 14-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Friday (March 29) when the program features a $7,864.05 carryover in the Early Pentafecta (race 4). First post is 12:45 p.m.